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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. That was a fun ________________.
  2. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  3. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  4. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  5. The tickets are free of ________________.
  6. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  7. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  8. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  9. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  10. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  11. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  12. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  13. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  14. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  15. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  16. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  17. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  18. The pointer is employed to find upland ________________.
  19. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  20. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  21. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  22. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  23. Roulette is a ________________ of chance.
  24. Where can I ________________ my mobile?

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

Answer key

  1. game — a match
  2. deal — to handle
  3. current — happening now
  4. pass — a permit
  5. charge — a price
  6. foot — the bottom
  7. current — electric
  8. charge — in control
  9. lash — to lash out
  10. chip — to eat
  11. chip — in a computer
  12. pass — to spend time
  13. foot — part of the body
  14. deal — a big deal
  15. pass — to succeed
  16. chip — for betting
  17. lash — a whip stroke
  18. game — wild animals
  19. foot — a measure
  20. deal — an agreement
  21. lash — an eyelash
  22. current — of water
  23. game — a kind of play
  24. charge — electricity

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