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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: mark · can · fine · cabinet · firm · file · toast · squash

  1. He rubbed the rust off with a ________________.
  2. The information is stored in a ________________ on my computer.
  3. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  4. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  5. I'd like to play a game of ________________.
  6. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  7. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  8. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  9. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  10. What do you think of the new ________________?
  11. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  12. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  13. The president vowed to ________________ the mutiny.
  14. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  15. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  16. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  17. We walked down the narrow path in single ________________.
  18. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  19. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  20. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  21. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  22. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  23. Cut the butternut ________________ into one-inch cubes.
  24. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.

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

Answer key

  1. file — a tool
  2. file — a document
  3. fine — all right
  4. cabinet — ministers
  5. squash — the sport
  6. can — a tin
  7. toast — the most admired
  8. toast — a drink to someone
  9. mark — a grade
  10. cabinet — ministers
  11. can — to be able to
  12. firm — steady
  13. squash — to crush
  14. firm — a company
  15. fine — a penalty
  16. mark — to pay attention
  17. file — a line of people
  18. mark — a trace
  19. can — a tin
  20. cabinet — a cupboard
  21. firm — decided
  22. toast — bread
  23. squash — the vegetable
  24. fine — high quality

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