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Multiple-Meaning Words

A multiple-meaning word is spelled and said the same way but means different things: a bat flies at night, and you hit a ball with a bat. Context is the only clue, which is why these words are such good reading practice.

Here are 124 multiple-meaning words from past ClueBy puzzles, each with a real example sentence for every meaning. Use them as a reference, or make a printable worksheet below.

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Students read each sentence and write the missing word. Every word appears in several sentences, each time with a different meaning.

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Multiple-Meaning Words

Name: ____________________Date: __________

Write the missing word in each sentence. Each word is used more than once, with a different meaning each time.

  1. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  2. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  3. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  4. The tree's ________________ was scarred by lightning strikes.
  5. He works in a ________________ mill.
  6. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  7. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  8. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  9. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  10. When will it ________________ you to start?
  11. What do you think of the new ________________?
  12. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  13. Where did you ________________ them?
  14. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  15. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  16. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  17. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  18. The elephant has a huge ________________.
  19. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  20. I've got the luggage in my ________________.
  21. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  22. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  23. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  24. She's very handy with a ________________.

Sentences from ClueBy, Tatoeba (CC BY 2.0 FR) and Common Voice (CC0). clueby.com

Answer key

  1. cabinet — ministers
  2. deal — to handle
  3. deal — a big deal
  4. trunk — of a tree
  5. saw — the tool
  6. mug — a face
  7. saw — past of 'see'
  8. can — a tin
  9. cabinet — a cupboard
  10. suit — to fit
  11. cabinet — ministers
  12. mug — a cup
  13. mug — to rob
  14. suit — in cards
  15. scale — in music
  16. suit — clothes
  17. can — a tin
  18. trunk — of an elephant
  19. scale — for weighing
  20. trunk — of a car
  21. deal — an agreement
  22. can — to be able to
  23. scale — size or range
  24. saw — the tool

Multiple-meaning words list

Tick up to 10 words to build a worksheet with just those words.

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Frequently asked questions

What are multiple-meaning words?

Words with the same spelling and pronunciation but more than one meaning, like bark (of a dog or of a tree) or bank (for money or of a river). You can only tell which meaning is meant from the rest of the sentence.

Are multiple-meaning words the same as homonyms?

Mostly, yes. Teachers often use "multiple-meaning words" and "homonyms" for the same idea. Homophones are different: they sound alike but are spelled differently, like flour and flower.

Are the worksheets free?

Yes. Make and print as many as you like for home or classroom use. Each sheet has its own link, so you can print the same one again.

Where do the words come from?

From past ClueBy puzzles, a daily game where you sort twelve sentences by their missing word. A new puzzle every day adds four more words to this list.

Sentences from ClueBy, Tatoeba (CC BY 2.0 FR) and Common Voice (CC0). clueby.com