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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: fan · cabinet · bulb · can · kick · stand · coach · ruler

  1. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  2. What do you think of the new ________________?
  3. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  4. They were given a penalty ________________ just minutes from the end.
  5. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  6. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  7. One ________________ from a giraffe's hind leg is enough to kill a lion.
  8. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  9. I can't ________________ this cold.
  10. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  11. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  12. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  13. The light ________________ burned out.
  14. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  15. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  16. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  17. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  18. I've got to change the light ________________.
  19. Have you met the new head ________________?
  20. I get a ________________ out of her cheerful personality.
  21. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  22. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  23. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  24. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — for measuring
  2. cabinet — ministers
  3. can — a tin
  4. kick — in football
  5. fan — a supporter
  6. fan — a supporter
  7. kick — with a leg
  8. bulb — of a plant
  9. stand — to bear
  10. coach — pulled by horses
  11. cabinet — ministers
  12. fan — to cool the air
  13. bulb — for light
  14. ruler — a monarch
  15. cabinet — a cupboard
  16. ruler — for measuring
  17. stand — for spectators
  18. bulb — for light
  19. coach — a trainer
  20. kick — a thrill
  21. can — a tin
  22. stand — on your feet
  23. can — to be able to
  24. coach — a trainer

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