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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. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  2. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  3. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  4. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  5. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  6. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  7. The ________________ took off on time.
  8. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  9. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  10. You don't need to ________________ round.
  11. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  12. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  13. Michael Jackson and Prince changed the history of ________________ music.
  14. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  15. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  16. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  17. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  18. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  19. We're almost out of ________________.
  20. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  21. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  22. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  23. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  24. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.

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

Answer key

  1. chip — in a computer
  2. bear — to put up with
  3. bear — the animal
  4. ruler — a monarch
  5. plane — a tool
  6. ruler — for measuring
  7. plane — an aircraft
  8. chip — for betting
  9. board — a committee
  10. pop — to visit
  11. leaves — of a tree
  12. plane — in geometry
  13. pop — music
  14. ruler — for measuring
  15. chip — to eat
  16. leaves — to go away
  17. bass — the instrument
  18. bear — the animal
  19. pop — soda
  20. board — to get on
  21. bass — the fish
  22. leaves — lets stay
  23. board — a flat piece
  24. bass — low music

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