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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: cap · fine · mark · suit · file · cabinet · charge · drill

  1. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  2. The tickets are free of ________________.
  3. I need a ________________ to install the towel rack.
  4. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  5. Can you put the ________________ back on the pen?
  6. The soldiers did ________________ on the parade ground every morning.
  7. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  8. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  9. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  10. The information is stored in a ________________ on my computer.
  11. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  12. The polar ice ________________ is melting.
  13. When will it ________________ you to start?
  14. He rubbed the rust off with a ________________.
  15. We had a fire ________________ at school today.
  16. What do you think of the new ________________?
  17. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  18. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  19. It's best to wear a ________________ on your head during the cold Moscow winters.
  20. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  21. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  22. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  23. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  24. We walked down the narrow path in single ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. suit — in cards
  2. charge — a price
  3. drill — the tool
  4. suit — clothes
  5. cap — a lid
  6. drill — army training
  7. mark — a trace
  8. fine — all right
  9. cabinet — ministers
  10. file — a document
  11. charge — in control
  12. cap — of ice
  13. suit — to fit
  14. file — a tool
  15. drill — a practice
  16. cabinet — ministers
  17. mark — to pay attention
  18. fine — a penalty
  19. cap — a hat
  20. cabinet — a cupboard
  21. fine — high quality
  22. charge — electricity
  23. mark — a grade
  24. file — a line of people

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