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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. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  2. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  3. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  4. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  5. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  6. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  7. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  8. That must've been a ________________.
  9. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  10. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  11. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  12. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  13. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  14. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  15. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  16. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  17. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  18. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  19. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  20. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  21. My father caught me by the ________________.
  22. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  23. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  24. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.

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

Answer key

  1. chip — for betting
  2. foot — part of the body
  3. pass — a permit
  4. calf — a young animal
  5. current — electric
  6. jam — to spread on bread
  7. pass — to succeed
  8. rush — a thrill
  9. rush — to hurry
  10. arm — a part of something
  11. rush — hurry
  12. pass — to spend time
  13. current — happening now
  14. jam — in traffic
  15. chip — to eat
  16. current — of water
  17. jam — a tight spot
  18. foot — a measure
  19. chip — in a computer
  20. calf — a young animal
  21. arm — part of the body
  22. calf — of the leg
  23. foot — the bottom
  24. arm — part of the body

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