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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.

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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. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  3. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  4. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  5. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  6. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  7. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  8. What do you think of the new ________________?
  9. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  10. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  11. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  12. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  13. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  14. The ________________ of the members were all out of tune.
  15. Because of the accident, he'll have a limp for the ________________ of his life.
  16. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  17. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  18. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  19. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  20. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  21. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  22. Have you met the new head ________________?
  23. I would like to have a ________________ here.
  24. That was ________________ to happen.

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

Answer key

  1. chip — in a computer
  2. chip — to eat
  3. firm — a company
  4. cue — a hint
  5. coach — pulled by horses
  6. safe — out of danger
  7. firm — decided
  8. cabinet — ministers
  9. safe — out of danger
  10. cabinet — a cupboard
  11. safe — a strongbox
  12. cabinet — ministers
  13. bound — tied together
  14. rest — what's left
  15. rest — what's left
  16. chip — for betting
  17. cue — a signal
  18. bound — obliged
  19. cue — for pool
  20. coach — a trainer
  21. firm — steady
  22. coach — a trainer
  23. rest — a break
  24. bound — certain

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