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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: charge · cabinet · leaves · field · suit · stick · safe · pitcher

  1. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  2. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  3. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  4. He is an ace ________________.
  5. Vegetables are growing on this ________________.
  6. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  7. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  8. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  9. The tickets are free of ________________.
  10. When will it ________________ you to start?
  11. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  12. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  13. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  14. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  15. What do you think of the new ________________?
  16. The stadium has a track around the football ________________.
  17. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  18. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  19. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  20. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  21. She's an expert in the ________________ of medicine.
  22. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  23. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  24. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. suit — in cards
  2. cabinet — ministers
  3. leaves — of a tree
  4. pitcher — in baseball
  5. field — farmland
  6. pitcher — a jug
  7. safe — out of danger
  8. safe — out of danger
  9. charge — a price
  10. suit — to fit
  11. stick — to attach or keep to
  12. charge — electricity
  13. leaves — lets stay
  14. pitcher — a jug
  15. cabinet — ministers
  16. field — for sport
  17. stick — a piece of wood
  18. leaves — to go away
  19. suit — clothes
  20. charge — in control
  21. field — a subject
  22. safe — a strongbox
  23. stick — a piece of wood
  24. cabinet — a cupboard

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