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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. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  3. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  4. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  5. He put a rubber ________________ around the bundle of letters.
  6. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  7. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  8. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  9. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  10. Did you ________________ the meat?
  11. He still wears his gold wedding ________________.
  12. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  13. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  14. The tickets are free of ________________.
  15. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  16. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  17. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  18. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  19. He's the lead singer in a rock ________________.
  20. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  21. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  22. That must've been a ________________.
  23. Did you ________________ the button?
  24. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.

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

Answer key

  1. chip — in a computer
  2. season — in sport
  3. press — newspapers
  4. charge — in control
  5. band — a rubber band
  6. rush — hurry
  7. season — of the year
  8. charge — electricity
  9. current — of water
  10. season — to add flavour
  11. band — a ring
  12. current — electric
  13. ruler — a monarch
  14. charge — a price
  15. press — a publisher
  16. ruler — for measuring
  17. chip — to eat
  18. rush — to hurry
  19. band — a music group
  20. current — happening now
  21. ruler — for measuring
  22. rush — a thrill
  23. press — to push
  24. chip — for betting

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