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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. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  2. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  3. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  4. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  5. He works in a ________________ mill.
  6. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  7. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  8. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  9. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  10. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  11. The ________________ went through the wall.
  12. Small ________________ should stay in the harbor during the storm.
  13. Flower arranging is a traditional ________________ in Japan.
  14. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  15. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  16. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  17. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  18. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  19. He spent years learning his ________________ as a carpenter.
  20. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  21. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  22. She's very handy with a ________________.
  23. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  24. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.

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

Answer key

  1. saw — past of 'see'
  2. chip — for betting
  3. pass — to succeed
  4. deal — a big deal
  5. saw — the tool
  6. deal — an agreement
  7. leaves — of a tree
  8. foot — a measure
  9. pass — a permit
  10. pass — to spend time
  11. nail — for a hammer
  12. craft — boats
  13. craft — a handicraft
  14. chip — in a computer
  15. nail — for a hammer
  16. foot — the bottom
  17. leaves — lets stay
  18. deal — to handle
  19. craft — a skill
  20. leaves — to go away
  21. foot — part of the body
  22. saw — the tool
  23. chip — to eat
  24. nail — on a finger

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