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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.

Make a worksheet

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 · charge · fine · cabinet · bark · toast · key · staff

  1. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  2. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  3. The sergeant loved to ________________ orders at us.
  4. Can you put the ________________ back on the pen?
  5. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  6. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  7. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  8. What do you think of the new ________________?
  9. Birch trees have smooth white ________________.
  10. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  11. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  12. This piece is in a major ________________.
  13. The polar ice ________________ is melting.
  14. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  15. Our dog starts to ________________ whenever the doorbell rings.
  16. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  17. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  18. It's best to wear a ________________ on your head during the cold Moscow winters.
  19. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  20. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  21. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  22. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  23. The tickets are free of ________________.
  24. I assure you, everything's ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. cabinet — ministers
  2. staff — employees
  3. bark — to shout
  4. cap — a lid
  5. fine — a penalty
  6. toast — the most admired
  7. key — the most important part
  8. cabinet — ministers
  9. bark — of a tree
  10. fine — high quality
  11. cabinet — a cupboard
  12. key — in music
  13. cap — of ice
  14. staff — a stick
  15. bark — a dog's sound
  16. toast — a drink to someone
  17. staff — employees
  18. cap — a hat
  19. charge — in control
  20. key — for a lock
  21. charge — electricity
  22. toast — bread
  23. charge — a price
  24. fine — all right

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