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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. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  2. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  3. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  4. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  5. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  6. Did you ________________ the button?
  7. Roulette is a ________________ of chance.
  8. The pointer is employed to find upland ________________.
  9. When will it ________________ you to start?
  10. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  11. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  12. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  13. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  14. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  15. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  16. That was ________________ to happen.
  17. That must've been a ________________.
  18. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  19. That was a fun ________________.
  20. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  21. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  22. My mare is ________________ in color.
  23. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  24. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. bay — to keep at bay
  2. chip — in a computer
  3. board — a committee
  4. bound — obliged
  5. board — to get on
  6. press — to push
  7. game — a kind of play
  8. game — wild animals
  9. suit — to fit
  10. suit — clothes
  11. board — a flat piece
  12. suit — in cards
  13. press — newspapers
  14. bound — tied together
  15. rush — hurry
  16. bound — certain
  17. rush — a thrill
  18. press — a publisher
  19. game — a match
  20. chip — to eat
  21. rush — to hurry
  22. bay — a horse colour
  23. chip — for betting
  24. bay — a part of the sea

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