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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. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  2. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  3. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  4. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  5. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  6. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  7. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  8. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  9. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  10. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  11. The teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.
  12. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  13. We're on a ________________ here.
  14. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  15. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  16. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  17. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  18. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  19. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.
  20. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  21. He is an ace ________________.
  22. The tickets are free of ________________.
  23. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  24. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.

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

Answer key

  1. chip — in a computer
  2. can — a tin
  3. chip — for betting
  4. can — to be able to
  5. staff — a stick
  6. staff — employees
  7. lie — an untruth
  8. lie — to recline
  9. pass — a permit
  10. pass — to spend time
  11. roll — a list
  12. charge — in control
  13. roll — on a roll
  14. pass — to succeed
  15. lie — an untruth
  16. staff — employees
  17. pitcher — a jug
  18. charge — electricity
  19. roll — a cake
  20. chip — to eat
  21. pitcher — in baseball
  22. charge — a price
  23. can — a tin
  24. pitcher — a jug

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