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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 116 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.

Make a worksheet

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 · coach · rest · chip · cabinet · safe · scale · leaves

  1. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  2. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  3. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  4. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  5. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  6. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  7. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  8. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  9. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  10. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  11. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  12. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  13. The ________________ of the members were all out of tune.
  14. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  15. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  16. I would like to have a ________________ here.
  17. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  18. What do you think of the new ________________?
  19. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  20. Have you met the new head ________________?
  21. Because of the accident, he'll have a limp for the ________________ of his life.
  22. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  23. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  24. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?

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

Answer key

  1. chip — in a computer
  2. scale — size or range
  3. leaves — lets stay
  4. leaves — to go away
  5. chip — to eat
  6. safe — out of danger
  7. safe — a strongbox
  8. leaves — of a tree
  9. fan — to cool the air
  10. cabinet — ministers
  11. scale — for weighing
  12. chip — for betting
  13. rest — what's left
  14. coach — pulled by horses
  15. scale — in music
  16. rest — a break
  17. coach — a trainer
  18. cabinet — ministers
  19. safe — out of danger
  20. coach — a trainer
  21. rest — what's left
  22. fan — a supporter
  23. cabinet — a cupboard
  24. fan — a supporter

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