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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 116 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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Multiple-Meaning Words

Name: ____________________Date: __________

Write the missing word in each sentence. Each word is used more than once, with a different meaning each time.

  1. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  2. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  3. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  4. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  5. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  6. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  7. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  8. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  9. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  10. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  11. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  12. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  13. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  14. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  15. She's an expert in the ________________ of medicine.
  16. The King held a masked ________________.
  17. Vegetables are growing on this ________________.
  18. The stadium has a track around the football ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. chip — in a computer
  2. can — a tin
  3. can — to be able to
  4. ball — a round shape
  5. chip — for betting
  6. current — of water
  7. chip — to eat
  8. mark — a trace
  9. current — happening now
  10. can — a tin
  11. mark — to pay attention
  12. mark — a grade
  13. current — electric
  14. ball — a great time
  15. field — a subject
  16. ball — a dance
  17. field — farmland
  18. field — for sport

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