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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: cabinet · stick · suit · chip · safe · tube · ruler · season

  1. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  2. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  3. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  4. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  5. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  6. Did you ________________ the meat?
  7. What do you think of the new ________________?
  8. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  9. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  10. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  11. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  12. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  13. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  14. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  15. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  16. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  17. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  18. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  19. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  20. When will it ________________ you to start?
  21. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  22. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  23. I'll be taking the ________________.
  24. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.

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

Answer key

  1. cabinet — a cupboard
  2. suit — clothes
  3. chip — in a computer
  4. chip — to eat
  5. ruler — for measuring
  6. season — to add flavour
  7. cabinet — ministers
  8. safe — out of danger
  9. season — in sport
  10. tube — in a tire
  11. ruler — a monarch
  12. cabinet — ministers
  13. stick — a piece of wood
  14. ruler — for measuring
  15. safe — a strongbox
  16. chip — for betting
  17. suit — in cards
  18. stick — a piece of wood
  19. season — of the year
  20. suit — to fit
  21. tube — a container
  22. safe — out of danger
  23. tube — the underground
  24. stick — to attach or keep to

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