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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: hide · can · foot · safe · roll · chest · suit · scale

  1. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  2. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  3. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  4. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  5. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  6. She laid her head on my ________________ so she could listen to my heartbeat.
  7. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  8. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  9. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  10. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  11. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  12. The lid of the ________________ creaked open.
  13. When will it ________________ you to start?
  14. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.
  15. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  16. I felt an uncomfortable tightness in my ________________.
  17. The teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.
  18. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  19. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  20. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  21. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  22. We're on a ________________ here.
  23. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  24. Recycle the empty soda ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. scale — in music
  2. suit — clothes
  3. foot — a measure
  4. suit — in cards
  5. hide — to keep secret
  6. chest — of your body
  7. can — a tin
  8. safe — out of danger
  9. scale — size or range
  10. can — to be able to
  11. safe — a strongbox
  12. chest — a box
  13. suit — to fit
  14. roll — a cake
  15. hide — animal skin
  16. chest — of your body
  17. roll — a list
  18. hide — to keep secret
  19. safe — out of danger
  20. foot — part of the body
  21. scale — for weighing
  22. roll — on a roll
  23. foot — the bottom
  24. can — a tin

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