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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. I got dealt a bad ________________.
  2. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  3. He hasn't even shaken my ________________.
  4. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  5. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  6. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  7. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  8. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  9. Birch trees have smooth white ________________.
  10. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  11. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  12. Our dog starts to ________________ whenever the doorbell rings.
  13. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  14. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  15. When was this ________________ built?
  16. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  17. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  18. Do you need a ________________ with that?
  19. Did you ________________ the button?
  20. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  21. The sergeant loved to ________________ orders at us.
  22. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  23. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  24. ________________ you help me carry this box?

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

Answer key

  1. hand — in cards
  2. foot — a measure
  3. hand — part of the body
  4. press — newspapers
  5. chip — in a computer
  6. temple — side of the head
  7. foot — part of the body
  8. press — a publisher
  9. bark — of a tree
  10. leaves — to go away
  11. can — a tin
  12. bark — a dog's sound
  13. chip — to eat
  14. chip — for betting
  15. temple — a place of worship
  16. can — a tin
  17. foot — the bottom
  18. hand — help
  19. press — to push
  20. temple — a place of worship
  21. bark — to shout
  22. leaves — of a tree
  23. leaves — lets stay
  24. can — to be able to

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