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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. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  2. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  3. We took cover from the thunder ________________.
  4. The ________________ market has crashed.
  5. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  6. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  7. He's taking a ________________ right now.
  8. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  9. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  10. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  11. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  12. What's the difference between broth and ________________?
  13. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  14. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  15. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  16. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  17. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  18. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  19. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  20. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  21. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  22. The dagger's metal was presumably from the same meteor ________________.
  23. The supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.
  24. I don't want to ________________ the boat.

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

Answer key

  1. chip — for betting
  2. safe — a strongbox
  3. shower — rain
  4. stock — shares
  5. can — to be able to
  6. lie — an untruth
  7. shower — to wash
  8. safe — out of danger
  9. can — a tin
  10. calf — of the leg
  11. chip — to eat
  12. stock — a soup base
  13. lie — an untruth
  14. calf — a young animal
  15. rock — a stone
  16. lie — to recline
  17. rock — music
  18. chip — in a computer
  19. safe — out of danger
  20. can — a tin
  21. calf — a young animal
  22. shower — a meteor shower
  23. stock — goods
  24. rock — to move gently

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