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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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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: mark · cabinet · suit · chip · snap · stock · mug · safe

  1. You don't have to ________________ at me like that.
  2. When will it ________________ you to start?
  3. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  4. The supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.
  5. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  6. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  7. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  8. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  9. What's the difference between broth and ________________?
  10. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  11. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  12. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  13. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  14. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  15. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  16. Where did you ________________ them?
  17. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  18. The ________________ market has crashed.
  19. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  20. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  21. ________________ out of it! You haven't done a thing all week.
  22. When I ________________ my fingers, you'll wake up.
  23. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  24. What do you think of the new ________________?

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

Answer key

  1. snap — to speak sharply
  2. suit — to fit
  3. mug — a cup
  4. stock — goods
  5. cabinet — ministers
  6. mark — a grade
  7. mark — to pay attention
  8. chip — to eat
  9. stock — a soup base
  10. mark — a trace
  11. safe — out of danger
  12. suit — clothes
  13. cabinet — a cupboard
  14. chip — for betting
  15. safe — out of danger
  16. mug — to rob
  17. chip — in a computer
  18. stock — shares
  19. suit — in cards
  20. mug — a face
  21. snap — to snap out of it
  22. snap — to click
  23. safe — a strongbox
  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