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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. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  3. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  4. Did you ________________ the meat?
  5. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  6. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  7. The tickets are free of ________________.
  8. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  9. My stomach aches so much that I can't ________________ asleep.
  10. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  11. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  12. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  13. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  14. What do you think of the new ________________?
  15. He who climbs up, will ________________ down.
  16. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  17. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  18. I can't ________________ this cold.
  19. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  20. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  21. In the ________________, covers are put over the fans in trains.
  22. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  23. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  24. Should I buy a wireless ________________?

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

Answer key

  1. cabinet — a cupboard
  2. mouse — the animal
  3. cabinet — ministers
  4. season — to add flavour
  5. bowl — a dish
  6. stand — for spectators
  7. charge — a price
  8. can — to be able to
  9. fall — to drop
  10. can — a tin
  11. bowl — to roll
  12. season — in sport
  13. can — a tin
  14. cabinet — ministers
  15. fall — to drop
  16. bowl — a football final
  17. stand — on your feet
  18. stand — to bear
  19. mouse — the animal
  20. season — of the year
  21. fall — the season
  22. charge — electricity
  23. charge — in control
  24. mouse — for a computer

Multiple-meaning words list

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

Make a worksheet (0 words)

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