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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 116 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. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  2. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  3. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  4. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  5. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  6. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  7. We've got to handle this with ________________ gloves.
  8. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  9. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  10. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  11. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  12. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  13. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  14. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  15. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  16. I had chicken pox when I was a ________________.
  17. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  18. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  19. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  20. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  21. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  22. Don't ________________ yourself. You couldn't afford to buy a house like this.
  23. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  24. He is as ________________ as a wolf.

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

Answer key

  1. leaves — lets stay
  2. chip — for betting
  3. leaves — to go away
  4. lean — to rest against
  5. board — to get on
  6. leaves — of a tree
  7. kid — young goat (kid gloves)
  8. can — a tin
  9. chip — in a computer
  10. hide — to keep secret
  11. hide — animal skin
  12. hide — to keep secret
  13. calf — a young animal
  14. board — a flat piece
  15. calf — a young animal
  16. kid — child
  17. can — to be able to
  18. can — a tin
  19. board — a committee
  20. calf — of the leg
  21. chip — to eat
  22. kid — to tease
  23. lean — to bend
  24. lean — thin

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