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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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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: bear · club · mate · mark · cabinet · deal · can · ruler

  1. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  2. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  3. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  4. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  5. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  6. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  7. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  8. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  9. I belonged to the harmonica ________________ in my high school days.
  10. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  11. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  12. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  13. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  14. My rich neighbors belong to a private golf ________________.
  15. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  16. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  17. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  18. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  19. What do you think of the new ________________?
  20. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  21. Have you found your soul ________________?
  22. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  23. Later, his shop becomes a ________________ with young dancers.
  24. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.

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

Answer key

  1. deal — an agreement
  2. cabinet — a cupboard
  3. mate — a friend
  4. can — a tin
  5. ruler — for measuring
  6. cabinet — ministers
  7. bear — the animal
  8. can — a tin
  9. club — a group
  10. deal — to handle
  11. ruler — for measuring
  12. mark — a trace
  13. mark — a grade
  14. club — for golf
  15. bear — the animal
  16. ruler — a monarch
  17. deal — a big deal
  18. bear — to put up with
  19. cabinet — ministers
  20. mate — to breed
  21. mate — a partner
  22. can — to be able to
  23. club — for dancing
  24. mark — to pay attention

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