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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. In jazz, ________________ was gradually being replaced by bebop.
  3. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  4. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  5. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  6. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  7. I've got to change the light ________________.
  8. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  9. David sat on the ________________.
  10. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  11. The light ________________ burned out.
  12. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  13. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  14. The coach helped Matthew straighten out his golf ________________, improving his game.
  15. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  16. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  17. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  18. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  19. Did you ________________ the meat?
  20. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  21. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  22. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  23. When will it ________________ you to start?
  24. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. chip — in a computer
  2. swing — music
  3. pass — to succeed
  4. pass — a permit
  5. season — of the year
  6. object — to protest
  7. bulb — for light
  8. pass — to spend time
  9. swing — to play on
  10. fan — a supporter
  11. bulb — for light
  12. fan — to cool the air
  13. chip — to eat
  14. swing — in golf
  15. bulb — of a plant
  16. season — in sport
  17. chip — for betting
  18. suit — in cards
  19. season — to add flavour
  20. object — a thing
  21. suit — clothes
  22. fan — a supporter
  23. suit — to fit
  24. object — an aim

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