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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. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  2. Buy me a box of chocolates and I'll be ________________.
  3. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  4. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  5. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  6. TikTok makes it very easy to create ________________.
  7. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  8. Check the label for the sugar ________________.
  9. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  10. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  11. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  12. When will it ________________ you to start?
  13. What do you think of the new ________________?
  14. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  15. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  16. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  17. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  18. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  19. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  20. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  21. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  22. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  23. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  24. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.

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

Answer key

  1. cabinet — a cupboard
  2. content — happy
  3. suit — in cards
  4. can — a tin
  5. current — of water
  6. content — videos and posts
  7. fine — a penalty
  8. content — the amount
  9. dip — a sauce
  10. scale — for weighing
  11. fine — high quality
  12. suit — to fit
  13. cabinet — ministers
  14. current — happening now
  15. dip — to sink
  16. can — a tin
  17. cabinet — ministers
  18. scale — in music
  19. scale — size or range
  20. can — to be able to
  21. dip — to dunk
  22. fine — all right
  23. current — electric
  24. suit — clothes

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