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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.

Words on the sheet
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Word bank
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Multiple-Meaning Words

Name: ____________________Date: __________

Write the missing word from the word bank in each sentence. Each word is used more than once, with a different meaning each time.

Word bank: stock · cabinet · bay · calf · saw · key · dip · suit

  1. When will it ________________ you to start?
  2. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  3. The ________________ market has crashed.
  4. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  5. This piece is in a major ________________.
  6. What's the difference between broth and ________________?
  7. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  8. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  9. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  10. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  11. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  12. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  13. She's very handy with a ________________.
  14. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  15. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  16. He works in a ________________ mill.
  17. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  18. What do you think of the new ________________?
  19. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  20. My mare is ________________ in color.
  21. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  22. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  23. The supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.
  24. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.

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

Answer key

  1. suit — to fit
  2. calf — a young animal
  3. stock — shares
  4. suit — in cards
  5. key — in music
  6. stock — a soup base
  7. saw — past of 'see'
  8. calf — a young animal
  9. dip — to sink
  10. suit — clothes
  11. cabinet — a cupboard
  12. bay — a part of the sea
  13. saw — the tool
  14. key — the most important part
  15. bay — to keep at bay
  16. saw — the tool
  17. dip — a sauce
  18. cabinet — ministers
  19. calf — of the leg
  20. bay — a horse colour
  21. key — for a lock
  22. dip — to dunk
  23. stock — goods
  24. cabinet — ministers

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