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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. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  2. That must've been a ________________.
  3. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  4. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  5. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  6. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  7. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  8. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  9. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  10. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  11. That was a fun ________________.
  12. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  13. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  14. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  15. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  16. My mare is ________________ in color.
  17. Roulette is a ________________ of chance.
  18. Have you met the new head ________________?
  19. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  20. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  21. The pointer is employed to find upland ________________.
  22. What do you think of the new ________________?
  23. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  24. The people resisted their cruel ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. chip — in a computer
  2. rush — a thrill
  3. bay — to keep at bay
  4. leaves — lets stay
  5. cabinet — a cupboard
  6. leaves — of a tree
  7. rush — to hurry
  8. coach — a trainer
  9. coach — pulled by horses
  10. cabinet — ministers
  11. game — a match
  12. ruler — for measuring
  13. chip — to eat
  14. ruler — for measuring
  15. rush — hurry
  16. bay — a horse colour
  17. game — a kind of play
  18. coach — a trainer
  19. bay — a part of the sea
  20. leaves — to go away
  21. game — wild animals
  22. cabinet — ministers
  23. chip — for betting
  24. ruler — a monarch

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