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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. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  2. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  3. This piece is in a major ________________.
  4. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  5. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  6. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  7. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  8. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  9. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  10. Add some ________________ pepper to it.
  11. We're almost out of ________________.
  12. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  13. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  14. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  15. The ________________ was covered with snow, as far as the eye could see.
  16. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  17. Michael Jackson and Prince changed the history of ________________ music.
  18. There's no middle ________________.
  19. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  20. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  21. You don't need to ________________ round.
  22. The tickets are free of ________________.
  23. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  24. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?

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

Answer key

  1. charge — in control
  2. object — a thing
  3. key — in music
  4. chip — in a computer
  5. key — the most important part
  6. object — an aim
  7. current — electric
  8. lie — an untruth
  9. chip — for betting
  10. ground — crushed
  11. pop — soda
  12. charge — electricity
  13. lie — to recline
  14. current — of water
  15. ground — the earth
  16. current — happening now
  17. pop — music
  18. ground — a position
  19. lie — an untruth
  20. chip — to eat
  21. pop — to visit
  22. charge — a price
  23. object — to protest
  24. key — for a lock

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