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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. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  2. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  3. I put the bag on or beside the ________________.
  4. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  5. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  6. Many English words ________________ from Latin.
  7. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  8. James Baker serves as an Honorary Co-________________ for the World Justice Project.
  9. The big green plant was starting to droop at the ________________.
  10. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  11. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  12. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  13. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  14. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  15. Did you ________________ the button?
  16. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  17. When was this ________________ built?
  18. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  19. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  20. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  21. Scientists study ________________ cells to repair damaged tissue.
  22. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  23. Professor Sir Peter Hirsch formerly held the ________________.
  24. The train ________________ at six o'clock.

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

Answer key

  1. chip — for betting
  2. leaves — lets stay
  3. chair — to sit on
  4. temple — side of the head
  5. racket — for tennis
  6. stem — to come from
  7. press — newspapers
  8. chair — a leader
  9. stem — of a plant
  10. can — a tin
  11. leaves — of a tree
  12. can — a tin
  13. chip — to eat
  14. can — to be able to
  15. press — to push
  16. chip — in a computer
  17. temple — a place of worship
  18. press — a publisher
  19. racket — for tennis
  20. racket — a loud noise
  21. stem — a stem cell
  22. temple — a place of worship
  23. chair — a professorship
  24. leaves — to go away

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