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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. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  2. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  3. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  4. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  5. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  6. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  7. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  8. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  9. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  10. He is as ________________ as a wolf.
  11. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  12. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  13. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  14. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  15. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  16. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  17. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  18. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  19. Where did you ________________ them?
  20. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  21. This piece is in a major ________________.
  22. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  23. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  24. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.

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

Answer key

  1. mark — to pay attention
  2. chip — for betting
  3. can — a tin
  4. chip — to eat
  5. key — for a lock
  6. lean — to rest against
  7. can — to be able to
  8. foot — a measure
  9. pass — to succeed
  10. lean — thin
  11. pass — to spend time
  12. chip — in a computer
  13. foot — the bottom
  14. mug — a cup
  15. foot — part of the body
  16. mark — a trace
  17. key — the most important part
  18. mug — a face
  19. mug — to rob
  20. pass — a permit
  21. key — in music
  22. mark — a grade
  23. lean — to bend
  24. can — a tin

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