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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: nail · can · scale · season · suit · mug · racket · mark

  1. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  2. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  3. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  4. The ________________ went through the wall.
  5. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  6. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  7. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  8. Where did you ________________ them?
  9. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  10. When will it ________________ you to start?
  11. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  12. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  13. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  14. Did you ________________ the meat?
  15. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  16. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  17. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  18. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  19. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  20. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  21. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  22. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  23. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  24. He hit the ball with his ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. can — a tin
  2. mug — a face
  3. racket — for tennis
  4. nail — for a hammer
  5. scale — in music
  6. season — in sport
  7. suit — clothes
  8. mug — to rob
  9. racket — a loud noise
  10. suit — to fit
  11. scale — size or range
  12. mark — a trace
  13. can — to be able to
  14. season — to add flavour
  15. nail — on a finger
  16. scale — for weighing
  17. can — a tin
  18. season — of the year
  19. mark — a grade
  20. mark — to pay attention
  21. nail — for a hammer
  22. mug — a cup
  23. suit — in cards
  24. racket — for tennis

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