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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. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  2. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  3. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  4. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  5. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  6. What do you think of the new ________________?
  7. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  8. Check the label for the sugar ________________.
  9. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  10. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  11. The light ________________ burned out.
  12. TikTok makes it very easy to create ________________.
  13. He spent years learning his ________________ as a carpenter.
  14. Don't do anything ________________.
  15. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  16. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  17. I've got to change the light ________________.
  18. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  19. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  20. Small ________________ should stay in the harbor during the storm.
  21. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  22. Flower arranging is a traditional ________________ in Japan.
  23. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  24. Buy me a box of chocolates and I'll be ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. rash — a series
  2. cabinet — ministers
  3. chip — in a computer
  4. rash — on the skin
  5. cabinet — a cupboard
  6. cabinet — ministers
  7. bulb — of a plant
  8. content — the amount
  9. chip — for betting
  10. safe — out of danger
  11. bulb — for light
  12. content — videos and posts
  13. craft — a skill
  14. rash — hasty
  15. safe — a strongbox
  16. safe — out of danger
  17. bulb — for light
  18. ruler — for measuring
  19. ruler — a monarch
  20. craft — boats
  21. ruler — for measuring
  22. craft — a handicraft
  23. chip — to eat
  24. content — happy

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