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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 always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  2. He took the fish out of the ________________.
  3. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  4. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  5. What do you think of the new ________________?
  6. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  7. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  8. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  9. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  10. The ________________ of the members were all out of tune.
  11. I would like to have a ________________ here.
  12. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  13. The ball hit the back of the ________________.
  14. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  15. My mare is ________________ in color.
  16. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  17. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  18. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  19. Because of the accident, he'll have a limp for the ________________ of his life.
  20. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  21. What was your ________________ profit last year?
  22. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  23. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  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. leaves — lets stay
  2. net — for catching
  3. chip — to eat
  4. cabinet — a cupboard
  5. cabinet — ministers
  6. chip — in a computer
  7. chip — for betting
  8. bank — for money
  9. bank — of a river
  10. rest — what's left
  11. rest — a break
  12. cabinet — ministers
  13. net — in sport
  14. bank — for money
  15. bay — a horse colour
  16. pit — in a race
  17. bay — to keep at bay
  18. leaves — to go away
  19. rest — what's left
  20. leaves — of a tree
  21. net — after costs
  22. pit — a fruit stone
  23. pit — a hole
  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