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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. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  2. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  3. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  4. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  5. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  6. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  7. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  8. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  9. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  10. The ________________ market has crashed.
  11. The King held a masked ________________.
  12. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  13. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  14. When will it ________________ you to start?
  15. The light ________________ burned out.
  16. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  17. What's the difference between broth and ________________?
  18. I've got to change the light ________________.
  19. The supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.
  20. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  21. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  22. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  23. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  24. He is an ace ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. pass — a permit
  2. lash — an eyelash
  3. pitcher — a jug
  4. pitcher — a jug
  5. chip — for betting
  6. ball — a round shape
  7. suit — clothes
  8. bulb — of a plant
  9. ball — a great time
  10. stock — shares
  11. ball — a dance
  12. lash — a whip stroke
  13. pass — to succeed
  14. suit — to fit
  15. bulb — for light
  16. chip — in a computer
  17. stock — a soup base
  18. bulb — for light
  19. stock — goods
  20. suit — in cards
  21. lash — to lash out
  22. chip — to eat
  23. pass — to spend time
  24. pitcher — in baseball

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