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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. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  2. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  3. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  4. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  5. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  6. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  7. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  8. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  9. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  10. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  11. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  12. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  13. What was your ________________ profit last year?
  14. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  15. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  16. When will it ________________ you to start?
  17. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  18. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  19. He took the fish out of the ________________.
  20. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  21. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  22. The ball hit the back of the ________________.
  23. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  24. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. scale — for weighing
  2. chip — for betting
  3. bank — for money
  4. calf — a young animal
  5. pass — to spend time
  6. bank — of a river
  7. pass — a permit
  8. scale — size or range
  9. stick — to attach or keep to
  10. calf — of the leg
  11. chip — to eat
  12. suit — clothes
  13. net — after costs
  14. scale — in music
  15. chip — in a computer
  16. suit — to fit
  17. bank — for money
  18. stick — a piece of wood
  19. net — for catching
  20. pass — to succeed
  21. stick — a piece of wood
  22. net — in sport
  23. suit — in cards
  24. calf — a young animal

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