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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. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  2. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  3. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  4. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  5. It is only in accepting others that we can ________________ down our own barriers.
  6. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  7. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  8. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  9. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  10. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  11. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  12. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  13. Where did you ________________ them?
  14. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  15. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  16. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  17. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  18. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  19. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  20. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  21. Drying a ________________ is more honorable than shedding torrents of blood.
  22. I cannot shed a ________________ for that horrible man.
  23. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  24. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.

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

Answer key

  1. can — a tin
  2. bowl — a football final
  3. cue — for pool
  4. chip — in a computer
  5. tear — to rip
  6. bank — of a river
  7. safe — out of danger
  8. chip — to eat
  9. bank — for money
  10. can — to be able to
  11. cue — a hint
  12. safe — out of danger
  13. mug — to rob
  14. chip — for betting
  15. mug — a cup
  16. bowl — a dish
  17. can — a tin
  18. mug — a face
  19. cue — a signal
  20. safe — a strongbox
  21. tear — from crying
  22. tear — from crying
  23. bank — for money
  24. bowl — to roll

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