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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 120 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. The information is stored in a ________________ on my computer.
  2. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  3. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  4. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  5. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  6. We walked down the narrow path in single ________________.
  7. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  8. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  9. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  10. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  11. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  12. He works in a ________________ mill.
  13. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  14. She's very handy with a ________________.
  15. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  16. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  17. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  18. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  19. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  20. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  21. He rubbed the rust off with a ________________.
  22. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  23. Did you ________________ the button?
  24. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.

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

Answer key

  1. file — a document
  2. chip — for betting
  3. perch — for a bird
  4. saw — past of 'see'
  5. press — newspapers
  6. file — a line of people
  7. chip — to eat
  8. rock — music
  9. can — a tin
  10. can — to be able to
  11. lash — a whip stroke
  12. saw — the tool
  13. press — a publisher
  14. saw — the tool
  15. perch — for a bird
  16. lash — an eyelash
  17. rock — a stone
  18. can — a tin
  19. rock — to move gently
  20. lash — to lash out
  21. file — a tool
  22. chip — in a computer
  23. press — to push
  24. perch — the fish

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