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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: bank · cap · fine · cabinet · can · bass · bulb · pitch

  1. It's best to wear a ________________ on your head during the cold Moscow winters.
  2. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  3. I've got to change the light ________________.
  4. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  5. What do you think of the new ________________?
  6. She's preparing to ________________ her idea to the investors.
  7. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  8. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  9. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  10. The polar ice ________________ is melting.
  11. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  12. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  13. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  14. The room was ________________ black, so I couldn't see a thing.
  15. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  16. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  17. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  18. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  19. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  20. Can you put the ________________ back on the pen?
  21. The light ________________ burned out.
  22. The players ran onto the football ________________.
  23. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  24. ________________ you help me carry this box?

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

Answer key

  1. cap — a hat
  2. bank — of a river
  3. bulb — for light
  4. bank — for money
  5. cabinet — ministers
  6. pitch — a sales talk
  7. fine — all right
  8. fine — high quality
  9. bulb — of a plant
  10. cap — of ice
  11. can — a tin
  12. cabinet — a cupboard
  13. bass — low music
  14. pitch — completely
  15. bass — the instrument
  16. can — a tin
  17. bass — the fish
  18. cabinet — ministers
  19. fine — a penalty
  20. cap — a lid
  21. bulb — for light
  22. pitch — a sports field
  23. bank — for money
  24. can — to be able to

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