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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. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  2. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  3. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  4. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  5. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  6. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  7. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  8. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  9. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  10. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  11. We came to a ________________ in the road and had no idea which direction to go.
  12. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  13. Use a garden ________________ to turn the soil.
  14. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  15. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  16. This piece is in a major ________________.
  17. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  18. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  19. We usually eat with a knife, ________________ and spoon.
  20. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  21. Don't do anything ________________.
  22. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  23. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  24. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?

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

Answer key

  1. chip — in a computer
  2. rash — on the skin
  3. toast — the most admired
  4. key — the most important part
  5. fan — to cool the air
  6. chip — to eat
  7. leaves — lets stay
  8. firm — steady
  9. leaves — of a tree
  10. key — for a lock
  11. fork — in a road
  12. firm — a company
  13. fork — a garden tool
  14. chip — for betting
  15. fan — a supporter
  16. key — in music
  17. toast — bread
  18. firm — decided
  19. fork — to eat with
  20. rash — a series
  21. rash — hasty
  22. toast — a drink to someone
  23. leaves — to go away
  24. fan — a supporter

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