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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. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  2. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  3. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  4. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  5. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  6. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  7. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  8. I've got to change the light ________________.
  9. Beijing is the ________________ of China.
  10. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  11. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  12. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  13. The light ________________ burned out.
  14. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  15. The beginning of a sentence starts with a ________________ letter.
  16. A second agreement was made due to the large amount of available ________________.
  17. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  18. That must've been a ________________.
  19. When will it ________________ you to start?
  20. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  21. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  22. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  23. He is as ________________ as a wolf.
  24. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.

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

Answer key

  1. chip — for betting
  2. suit — clothes
  3. bulb — of a plant
  4. chip — in a computer
  5. can — a tin
  6. leaves — lets stay
  7. lean — to bend
  8. bulb — for light
  9. capital — a city
  10. can — a tin
  11. rush — to hurry
  12. leaves — of a tree
  13. bulb — for light
  14. suit — in cards
  15. capital — a big letter
  16. capital — money
  17. can — to be able to
  18. rush — a thrill
  19. suit — to fit
  20. leaves — to go away
  21. rush — hurry
  22. chip — to eat
  23. lean — thin
  24. lean — to rest against

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