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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. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  2. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  3. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  4. The dagger's metal was presumably from the same meteor ________________.
  5. The teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.
  6. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  7. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  8. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  9. He's taking a ________________ right now.
  10. What do you think of the new ________________?
  11. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  12. When will it ________________ you to start?
  13. We're on a ________________ here.
  14. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  15. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  16. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  17. I've got to change the light ________________.
  18. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  19. The light ________________ burned out.
  20. We took cover from the thunder ________________.
  21. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.
  22. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  23. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  24. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. can — a tin
  2. cabinet — a cupboard
  3. fan — to cool the air
  4. shower — a meteor shower
  5. roll — a list
  6. can — to be able to
  7. bulb — of a plant
  8. cabinet — ministers
  9. shower — to wash
  10. cabinet — ministers
  11. can — a tin
  12. suit — to fit
  13. roll — on a roll
  14. fan — a supporter
  15. safe — out of danger
  16. safe — out of danger
  17. bulb — for light
  18. safe — a strongbox
  19. bulb — for light
  20. shower — rain
  21. roll — a cake
  22. suit — clothes
  23. fan — a supporter
  24. suit — in cards

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