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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. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  3. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  4. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  5. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  6. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  7. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  8. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  9. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  10. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  11. My mare is ________________ in color.
  12. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  13. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  14. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  15. The pointer is employed to find upland ________________.
  16. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  17. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  18. Roulette is a ________________ of chance.
  19. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  20. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  21. That was a fun ________________.
  22. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  23. I'll be taking the ________________.
  24. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.

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

Answer key

  1. chip — for betting
  2. bay — to keep at bay
  3. fan — to cool the air
  4. fine — a penalty
  5. racket — for tennis
  6. fine — high quality
  7. chip — to eat
  8. racket — a loud noise
  9. fine — all right
  10. board — a committee
  11. bay — a horse colour
  12. fan — a supporter
  13. bay — a part of the sea
  14. chip — in a computer
  15. game — wild animals
  16. racket — for tennis
  17. tube — in a tire
  18. game — a kind of play
  19. board — a flat piece
  20. board — to get on
  21. game — a match
  22. fan — a supporter
  23. tube — the underground
  24. tube — a container

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