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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.

Words on the sheet
468
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: leaves · stick · can · scale · fan · object · fork · jam

  1. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  2. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  3. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  4. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  5. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  6. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  7. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  8. Use a garden ________________ to turn the soil.
  9. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  10. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  11. We usually eat with a knife, ________________ and spoon.
  12. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  13. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  14. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  15. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  16. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  17. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  18. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  19. We came to a ________________ in the road and had no idea which direction to go.
  20. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  21. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  22. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  23. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  24. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.

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

Answer key

  1. stick — a piece of wood
  2. leaves — lets stay
  3. fan — to cool the air
  4. object — a thing
  5. scale — size or range
  6. jam — a tight spot
  7. can — a tin
  8. fork — a garden tool
  9. leaves — of a tree
  10. jam — in traffic
  11. fork — to eat with
  12. can — a tin
  13. fan — a supporter
  14. stick — a piece of wood
  15. scale — for weighing
  16. can — to be able to
  17. object — an aim
  18. object — to protest
  19. fork — in a road
  20. stick — to attach or keep to
  21. jam — to spread on bread
  22. scale — in music
  23. leaves — to go away
  24. fan — a supporter

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