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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: rush · mouse · can · suit · cabinet · scale · pit · foot

  1. When will it ________________ you to start?
  2. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  3. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  4. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  5. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  6. That must've been a ________________.
  7. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  8. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  9. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  10. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  11. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  12. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  13. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  14. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  15. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  16. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  17. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  18. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  19. What do you think of the new ________________?
  20. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  21. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  22. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  23. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  24. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.

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

Answer key

  1. suit — to fit
  2. foot — part of the body
  3. cabinet — ministers
  4. can — a tin
  5. scale — size or range
  6. rush — a thrill
  7. cabinet — a cupboard
  8. rush — to hurry
  9. foot — the bottom
  10. suit — clothes
  11. can — a tin
  12. pit — a fruit stone
  13. mouse — the animal
  14. pit — in a race
  15. mouse — for a computer
  16. scale — in music
  17. scale — for weighing
  18. foot — a measure
  19. cabinet — ministers
  20. suit — in cards
  21. rush — hurry
  22. pit — a hole
  23. can — to be able to
  24. mouse — the animal

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