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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. When was this ________________ built?
  3. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  4. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  5. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  6. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  7. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  8. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  9. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  10. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  11. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  12. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  13. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  14. He's quite ________________, isn't he?
  15. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  16. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  17. Where did you ________________ them?
  18. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  19. I'll be taking the ________________.
  20. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  21. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  22. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  23. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  24. It's one o'clock ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. chip — in a computer
  2. temple — a place of worship
  3. dip — to dunk
  4. mug — a face
  5. tube — a container
  6. temple — a place of worship
  7. pass — a permit
  8. can — a tin
  9. pass — to spend time
  10. can — a tin
  11. pass — to succeed
  12. tube — in a tire
  13. can — to be able to
  14. sharp — clever
  15. dip — to sink
  16. sharp — with an edge
  17. mug — to rob
  18. chip — for betting
  19. tube — the underground
  20. dip — a sauce
  21. temple — side of the head
  22. chip — to eat
  23. mug — a cup
  24. sharp — exactly

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