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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: firm · bay · current · chip · scale · toast · cue · cabinet

  1. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  2. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  3. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  4. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  5. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  6. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  7. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  8. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  9. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  10. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  11. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  12. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  13. My mare is ________________ in color.
  14. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  15. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  16. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  17. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  18. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  19. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  20. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  21. What do you think of the new ________________?
  22. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  23. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  24. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. cabinet — ministers
  2. cue — for pool
  3. firm — a company
  4. cue — a signal
  5. scale — for weighing
  6. toast — a drink to someone
  7. toast — the most admired
  8. toast — bread
  9. cabinet — a cupboard
  10. cue — a hint
  11. bay — a part of the sea
  12. scale — in music
  13. bay — a horse colour
  14. current — of water
  15. chip — for betting
  16. firm — steady
  17. current — happening now
  18. firm — decided
  19. bay — to keep at bay
  20. chip — to eat
  21. cabinet — ministers
  22. scale — size or range
  23. chip — in a computer
  24. current — electric

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