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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 kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  2. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  3. We ________________ up on opposing sides.
  4. Where did you ________________ them?
  5. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  6. This looks like a gunshot ________________.
  7. The King held a masked ________________.
  8. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  9. I've got to change the light ________________.
  10. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  11. The light ________________ burned out.
  12. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  13. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  14. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  15. It's not a deep ________________. It's just a scratch.
  16. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  17. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  18. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  19. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  20. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  21. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  22. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  23. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  24. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.

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

Answer key

  1. scale — for weighing
  2. bulb — of a plant
  3. wound — past of 'wind'
  4. mug — to rob
  5. chip — in a computer
  6. wound — an injury
  7. ball — a dance
  8. deal — to handle
  9. bulb — for light
  10. current — happening now
  11. bulb — for light
  12. scale — in music
  13. ball — a great time
  14. chip — for betting
  15. wound — an injury
  16. mug — a face
  17. scale — size or range
  18. ball — a round shape
  19. current — of water
  20. mug — a cup
  21. current — electric
  22. deal — an agreement
  23. chip — to eat
  24. deal — a big deal

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