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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. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  3. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  4. That must've been a ________________.
  5. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  6. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  7. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  8. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  9. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  10. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  11. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  12. She's very handy with a ________________.
  13. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  14. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  15. He works in a ________________ mill.
  16. The ________________ took off on time.
  17. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  18. Have you found your soul ________________?
  19. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  20. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  21. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  22. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  23. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  24. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.

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

Answer key

  1. chip — in a computer
  2. plane — in geometry
  3. chip — to eat
  4. rush — a thrill
  5. rush — to hurry
  6. mark — to pay attention
  7. mate — a friend
  8. plane — a tool
  9. safe — out of danger
  10. mark — a grade
  11. safe — a strongbox
  12. saw — the tool
  13. leaves — lets stay
  14. saw — past of 'see'
  15. saw — the tool
  16. plane — an aircraft
  17. safe — out of danger
  18. mate — a partner
  19. rush — hurry
  20. mark — a trace
  21. leaves — of a tree
  22. chip — for betting
  23. leaves — to go away
  24. mate — to breed

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