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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. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  2. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  3. My mare is ________________ in color.
  4. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  5. He who climbs up, will ________________ down.
  6. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  7. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  8. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  9. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  10. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  11. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  12. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  13. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  14. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  15. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  16. In the ________________, covers are put over the fans in trains.
  17. My stomach aches so much that I can't ________________ asleep.
  18. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  19. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  20. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  21. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  22. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  23. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  24. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.

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

Answer key

  1. chip — to eat
  2. deal — a big deal
  3. bay — a horse colour
  4. track — a path
  5. fall — to drop
  6. pass — to spend time
  7. bay — a part of the sea
  8. lie — to recline
  9. deal — to handle
  10. fan — a supporter
  11. fan — to cool the air
  12. lie — an untruth
  13. track — to keep track
  14. track — a song
  15. chip — for betting
  16. fall — the season
  17. fall — to drop
  18. chip — in a computer
  19. fan — a supporter
  20. lie — an untruth
  21. pass — a permit
  22. deal — an agreement
  23. bay — to keep at bay
  24. pass — to succeed

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