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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: cabinet · rush · cold · firm · key · safe · scale · cap

  1. Its rival in the ________________ War, the Soviet Union, exploited this at the time.
  2. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  3. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  4. That must've been a ________________.
  5. This piece is in a major ________________.
  6. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  7. The polar ice ________________ is melting.
  8. What do you think of the new ________________?
  9. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  10. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  11. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  12. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  13. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  14. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  15. Can you put the ________________ back on the pen?
  16. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  17. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  18. It's best to wear a ________________ on your head during the cold Moscow winters.
  19. The water is too ________________.
  20. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  21. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  22. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  23. I had a bad ________________ and was in bed for a week.
  24. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.

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

Answer key

  1. cold — the Cold War
  2. scale — for weighing
  3. firm — a company
  4. rush — a thrill
  5. key — in music
  6. scale — size or range
  7. cap — of ice
  8. cabinet — ministers
  9. firm — decided
  10. key — the most important part
  11. scale — in music
  12. rush — hurry
  13. safe — a strongbox
  14. key — for a lock
  15. cap — a lid
  16. cabinet — ministers
  17. safe — out of danger
  18. cap — a hat
  19. cold — not warm
  20. cabinet — a cupboard
  21. rush — to hurry
  22. safe — out of danger
  23. cold — an illness
  24. firm — steady

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