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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. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  2. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  3. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  4. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  5. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  6. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  7. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  8. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  9. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  10. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  11. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  12. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  13. The ________________ went through the wall.
  14. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  15. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  16. That must've been a ________________.
  17. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  18. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  19. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  20. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  21. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  22. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  23. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  24. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.

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

Answer key

  1. lash — an eyelash
  2. nail — for a hammer
  3. chip — for betting
  4. can — a tin
  5. can — to be able to
  6. fine — a penalty
  7. fine — all right
  8. rush — hurry
  9. can — a tin
  10. chip — in a computer
  11. board — a flat piece
  12. chip — to eat
  13. nail — for a hammer
  14. board — a committee
  15. lash — to lash out
  16. rush — a thrill
  17. lash — a whip stroke
  18. staff — a stick
  19. fine — high quality
  20. nail — on a finger
  21. staff — employees
  22. rush — to hurry
  23. board — to get on
  24. staff — employees

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