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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. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  2. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  3. Champaud competed in the parallel bars, ________________, and pommel horse events.
  4. The ________________ went through the wall.
  5. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  6. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  7. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  8. What do you think of the new ________________?
  9. I would like to have a ________________ here.
  10. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  11. The ________________ of the members were all out of tune.
  12. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  13. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  14. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  15. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  16. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  17. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  18. Because of the accident, he'll have a limp for the ________________ of his life.
  19. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.
  20. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  21. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  22. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  23. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  24. The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.

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

Answer key

  1. chip — for betting
  2. chip — to eat
  3. vault — in gymnastics
  4. nail — for a hammer
  5. cabinet — a cupboard
  6. chip — in a computer
  7. nail — for a hammer
  8. cabinet — ministers
  9. rest — a break
  10. pass — to spend time
  11. rest — what's left
  12. nail — on a finger
  13. current — electric
  14. cabinet — ministers
  15. current — happening now
  16. perch — the fish
  17. perch — for a bird
  18. rest — what's left
  19. vault — a safe
  20. pass — a permit
  21. current — of water
  22. perch — for a bird
  23. pass — to succeed
  24. vault — an arched ceiling

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