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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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468
Word bank
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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. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  2. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  3. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  4. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  5. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  6. The nurse administered an injection to the ________________.
  7. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  8. I'll be taking the ________________.
  9. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  10. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  11. Don't do anything ________________.
  12. The ________________ was transferred to the cardiology ward.
  13. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  14. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  15. The farmer was ________________ with the unruly horse.
  16. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  17. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  18. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  19. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  20. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  21. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  22. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  23. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  24. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.

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

Answer key

  1. rash — on the skin
  2. leaves — to go away
  3. ruler — a monarch
  4. chip — in a computer
  5. ruler — for measuring
  6. patient — a sick person
  7. chip — for betting
  8. tube — the underground
  9. can — a tin
  10. leaves — lets stay
  11. rash — hasty
  12. patient — a sick person
  13. tube — in a tire
  14. can — to be able to
  15. patient — calm and waiting
  16. rash — a series
  17. can — a tin
  18. ruler — for measuring
  19. chip — to eat
  20. fine — high quality
  21. leaves — of a tree
  22. fine — a penalty
  23. fine — all right
  24. tube — a container

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