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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. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  2. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  3. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  4. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  5. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  6. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  7. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  8. What do you think of the new ________________?
  9. The players ran onto the football ________________.
  10. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  11. She's preparing to ________________ her idea to the investors.
  12. The room was ________________ black, so I couldn't see a thing.
  13. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  14. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  15. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  16. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  17. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  18. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  19. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  20. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  21. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  22. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  23. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  24. She got the top ________________ in the exam.

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

Answer key

  1. safe — a strongbox
  2. mark — a trace
  3. chip — in a computer
  4. leaves — of a tree
  5. deal — an agreement
  6. deal — to handle
  7. object — an aim
  8. cabinet — ministers
  9. pitch — a sports field
  10. object — to protest
  11. pitch — a sales talk
  12. pitch — completely
  13. cabinet — ministers
  14. chip — for betting
  15. safe — out of danger
  16. object — a thing
  17. cabinet — a cupboard
  18. chip — to eat
  19. safe — out of danger
  20. leaves — to go away
  21. deal — a big deal
  22. leaves — lets stay
  23. mark — to pay attention
  24. mark — a grade

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