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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: cue · spell · fan · tube · bound · cabinet · safe · firm

  1. What do you think of the new ________________?
  2. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  3. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  4. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  5. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  6. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  7. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  8. I'll be taking the ________________.
  9. How do you ________________ your surname?
  10. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  11. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  12. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  13. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  14. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  15. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  16. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  17. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  18. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  19. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  20. That was ________________ to happen.
  21. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  22. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  23. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  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. cabinet — ministers
  2. cue — a hint
  3. fan — to cool the air
  4. cabinet — ministers
  5. tube — a container
  6. bound — tied together
  7. cabinet — a cupboard
  8. tube — the underground
  9. spell — letters
  10. cue — for pool
  11. cue — a signal
  12. tube — in a tire
  13. firm — decided
  14. safe — out of danger
  15. spell — a short time
  16. spell — magic
  17. safe — a strongbox
  18. safe — out of danger
  19. firm — a company
  20. bound — certain
  21. fan — a supporter
  22. firm — steady
  23. bound — obliged
  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