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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 116 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. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  2. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  3. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  4. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  5. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  6. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  7. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  8. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  9. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  10. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  11. What do you think of the new ________________?
  12. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  13. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  14. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  15. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  16. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  17. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  18. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  19. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  20. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  21. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  22. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  23. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  24. I'll take my ________________ from you.

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

Answer key

  1. fan — a supporter
  2. fine — a penalty
  3. can — a tin
  4. lie — an untruth
  5. cabinet — a cupboard
  6. can — a tin
  7. can — to be able to
  8. fine — high quality
  9. perch — for a bird
  10. perch — for a bird
  11. cabinet — ministers
  12. perch — the fish
  13. stick — to attach or keep to
  14. cue — a signal
  15. stick — a piece of wood
  16. lie — an untruth
  17. stick — a piece of wood
  18. fan — a supporter
  19. cabinet — ministers
  20. fan — to cool the air
  21. fine — all right
  22. lie — to recline
  23. cue — for pool
  24. cue — a hint

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