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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: lie · can · mouse · key · jam · stand · chip · cabinet

  1. This piece is in a major ________________.
  2. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  3. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  4. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  5. What do you think of the new ________________?
  6. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  7. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  8. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  9. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  10. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  11. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  12. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  13. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  14. I can't ________________ this cold.
  15. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  16. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  17. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  18. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  19. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  20. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  21. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  22. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  23. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  24. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.

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

Answer key

  1. key — in music
  2. mouse — the animal
  3. jam — in traffic
  4. chip — in a computer
  5. cabinet — ministers
  6. key — the most important part
  7. stand — on your feet
  8. chip — for betting
  9. lie — an untruth
  10. jam — a tight spot
  11. can — a tin
  12. jam — to spread on bread
  13. can — a tin
  14. stand — to bear
  15. cabinet — ministers
  16. mouse — for a computer
  17. stand — for spectators
  18. key — for a lock
  19. cabinet — a cupboard
  20. mouse — the animal
  21. lie — to recline
  22. can — to be able to
  23. lie — an untruth
  24. chip — to eat

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