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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: mate · safe · bowl · cabinet · leaves · roll · can · chip

  1. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  2. What do you think of the new ________________?
  3. Have you found your soul ________________?
  4. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  5. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  6. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  7. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  8. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  9. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  10. The teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.
  11. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  12. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  13. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  14. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  15. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  16. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  17. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  18. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.
  19. We're on a ________________ here.
  20. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  21. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  22. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  23. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  24. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?

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

Answer key

  1. cabinet — a cupboard
  2. cabinet — ministers
  3. mate — a partner
  4. bowl — to roll
  5. can — a tin
  6. chip — in a computer
  7. safe — out of danger
  8. chip — for betting
  9. mate — to breed
  10. roll — a list
  11. leaves — lets stay
  12. safe — out of danger
  13. cabinet — ministers
  14. leaves — of a tree
  15. safe — a strongbox
  16. bowl — a football final
  17. can — a tin
  18. roll — a cake
  19. roll — on a roll
  20. chip — to eat
  21. can — to be able to
  22. bowl — a dish
  23. leaves — to go away
  24. mate — a friend

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