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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: can · bulb · jam · chip · kick · suit · cabinet · firm

  1. I get a ________________ out of her cheerful personality.
  2. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  3. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  4. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  5. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  6. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  7. What do you think of the new ________________?
  8. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  9. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  10. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  11. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  12. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  13. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  14. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  15. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  16. When will it ________________ you to start?
  17. One ________________ from a giraffe's hind leg is enough to kill a lion.
  18. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  19. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  20. They were given a penalty ________________ just minutes from the end.
  21. The light ________________ burned out.
  22. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  23. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  24. I've got to change the light ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. kick — a thrill
  2. firm — a company
  3. can — to be able to
  4. can — a tin
  5. cabinet — ministers
  6. chip — in a computer
  7. cabinet — ministers
  8. cabinet — a cupboard
  9. suit — clothes
  10. bulb — of a plant
  11. firm — steady
  12. chip — to eat
  13. jam — to spread on bread
  14. chip — for betting
  15. suit — in cards
  16. suit — to fit
  17. kick — with a leg
  18. jam — in traffic
  19. jam — a tight spot
  20. kick — in football
  21. bulb — for light
  22. can — a tin
  23. firm — decided
  24. bulb — for light

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