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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. Michael Jackson and Prince changed the history of ________________ music.
  2. This piece is in a major ________________.
  3. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  4. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  5. The ________________ market has crashed.
  6. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  7. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  8. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  9. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  10. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  11. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  12. Where did you ________________ them?
  13. The supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.
  14. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  15. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  16. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  17. What do you think of the new ________________?
  18. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  19. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  20. What's the difference between broth and ________________?
  21. You don't need to ________________ round.
  22. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  23. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  24. We're almost out of ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. pop — music
  2. key — in music
  3. mark — a grade
  4. chip — to eat
  5. stock — shares
  6. chip — for betting
  7. chip — in a computer
  8. cabinet — ministers
  9. mug — a cup
  10. cabinet — a cupboard
  11. mark — to pay attention
  12. mug — to rob
  13. stock — goods
  14. key — the most important part
  15. fan — a supporter
  16. key — for a lock
  17. cabinet — ministers
  18. mark — a trace
  19. mug — a face
  20. stock — a soup base
  21. pop — to visit
  22. fan — a supporter
  23. fan — to cool the air
  24. pop — soda

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