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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: can · track · firm · ball · roll · safe · toast · cabinet

  1. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  2. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  3. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  4. What do you think of the new ________________?
  5. The King held a masked ________________.
  6. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  7. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  8. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  9. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  10. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  11. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.
  12. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  13. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  14. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  15. The teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.
  16. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  17. We're on a ________________ here.
  18. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  19. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  20. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  21. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  22. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  23. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  24. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.

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

Answer key

  1. can — a tin
  2. firm — steady
  3. can — to be able to
  4. cabinet — ministers
  5. ball — a dance
  6. safe — a strongbox
  7. cabinet — ministers
  8. ball — a round shape
  9. track — to keep track
  10. firm — a company
  11. roll — a cake
  12. toast — the most admired
  13. safe — out of danger
  14. safe — out of danger
  15. roll — a list
  16. cabinet — a cupboard
  17. roll — on a roll
  18. toast — a drink to someone
  19. toast — bread
  20. track — a path
  21. track — a song
  22. can — a tin
  23. ball — a great time
  24. firm — decided

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