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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. Can you put the ________________ back on the pen?
  2. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  3. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  4. What do you think of the new ________________?
  5. It's best to wear a ________________ on your head during the cold Moscow winters.
  6. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  7. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  8. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  9. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  10. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  11. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  12. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  13. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  14. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  15. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  16. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  17. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  18. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  19. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  20. The polar ice ________________ is melting.
  21. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  22. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  23. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  24. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. cap — a lid
  2. can — to be able to
  3. fine — all right
  4. cabinet — ministers
  5. cap — a hat
  6. board — to get on
  7. board — a flat piece
  8. calf — of the leg
  9. fan — to cool the air
  10. cabinet — a cupboard
  11. cabinet — ministers
  12. can — a tin
  13. can — a tin
  14. calf — a young animal
  15. stick — a piece of wood
  16. fan — a supporter
  17. calf — a young animal
  18. fine — a penalty
  19. fine — high quality
  20. cap — of ice
  21. board — a committee
  22. fan — a supporter
  23. stick — to attach or keep to
  24. stick — a piece of wood

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