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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 116 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. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  3. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  4. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  5. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  6. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  7. That was ________________ to happen.
  8. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  9. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  10. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  11. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  12. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  13. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  14. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  15. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  16. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  17. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  18. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  19. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  20. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  21. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  22. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  23. The tickets are free of ________________.
  24. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.

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

Answer key

  1. chip — for betting
  2. current — happening now
  3. bear — the animal
  4. bear — to put up with
  5. board — a committee
  6. board — a flat piece
  7. bound — certain
  8. chip — to eat
  9. charge — in control
  10. bound — obliged
  11. fine — high quality
  12. board — to get on
  13. bear — the animal
  14. bound — tied together
  15. current — of water
  16. fine — a penalty
  17. current — electric
  18. safe — out of danger
  19. charge — electricity
  20. safe — a strongbox
  21. fine — all right
  22. chip — in a computer
  23. charge — a price
  24. safe — out of danger

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