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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 120 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: pit · calf · cap · mark · wound · saw · suit · cabinet

  1. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  2. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  3. It's not a deep ________________. It's just a scratch.
  4. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  5. We ________________ up on opposing sides.
  6. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  7. He works in a ________________ mill.
  8. Can you put the ________________ back on the pen?
  9. When will it ________________ you to start?
  10. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  11. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  12. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  13. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  14. She's very handy with a ________________.
  15. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  16. What do you think of the new ________________?
  17. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  18. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  19. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  20. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  21. The polar ice ________________ is melting.
  22. This looks like a gunshot ________________.
  23. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  24. It's best to wear a ________________ on your head during the cold Moscow winters.

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

Answer key

  1. cabinet — ministers
  2. saw — past of 'see'
  3. wound — an injury
  4. pit — a hole
  5. wound — past of 'wind'
  6. mark — a grade
  7. saw — the tool
  8. cap — a lid
  9. suit — to fit
  10. pit — a fruit stone
  11. cabinet — a cupboard
  12. mark — a trace
  13. calf — a young animal
  14. saw — the tool
  15. mark — to pay attention
  16. cabinet — ministers
  17. calf — a young animal
  18. calf — of the leg
  19. suit — clothes
  20. pit — in a race
  21. cap — of ice
  22. wound — an injury
  23. suit — in cards
  24. cap — a hat

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