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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. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  2. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  3. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  4. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  5. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  6. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  7. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  8. The ________________ was transferred to the cardiology ward.
  9. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  10. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  11. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  12. The nurse administered an injection to the ________________.
  13. The light ________________ burned out.
  14. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  15. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  16. When was this ________________ built?
  17. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  18. I've got to change the light ________________.
  19. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  20. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  21. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  22. The farmer was ________________ with the unruly horse.
  23. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  24. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.

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

Answer key

  1. chip — to eat
  2. bank — for money
  3. mark — a grade
  4. jam — a tight spot
  5. bowl — to roll
  6. bank — for money
  7. mark — a trace
  8. patient — a sick person
  9. temple — side of the head
  10. jam — in traffic
  11. jam — to spread on bread
  12. patient — a sick person
  13. bulb — for light
  14. bank — of a river
  15. bulb — of a plant
  16. temple — a place of worship
  17. temple — a place of worship
  18. bulb — for light
  19. chip — in a computer
  20. mark — to pay attention
  21. bowl — a dish
  22. patient — calm and waiting
  23. chip — for betting
  24. bowl — a football final

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