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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. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  2. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  3. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  4. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  5. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  6. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  7. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  8. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  9. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  10. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  11. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  12. How do you ________________ your surname?
  13. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  14. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  15. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  16. He's quite ________________, isn't he?
  17. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  18. The ________________ took off on time.
  19. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  20. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  21. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  22. It's one o'clock ________________.
  23. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  24. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.

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

Answer key

  1. deal — an agreement
  2. can — a tin
  3. sharp — with an edge
  4. chip — in a computer
  5. spell — magic
  6. deal — a big deal
  7. chip — for betting
  8. plane — in geometry
  9. ruler — for measuring
  10. ruler — a monarch
  11. spell — a short time
  12. spell — letters
  13. can — to be able to
  14. mouse — for a computer
  15. ruler — for measuring
  16. sharp — clever
  17. can — a tin
  18. plane — an aircraft
  19. mouse — the animal
  20. plane — a tool
  21. deal — to handle
  22. sharp — exactly
  23. mouse — the animal
  24. chip — to eat

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