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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.

Words on the sheet
468
Word bank
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Multiple-Meaning Words

Name: ____________________Date: __________

Write the missing word from the word bank in each sentence. Each word is used more than once, with a different meaning each time.

Word bank: leaves · pass · chip · squash · jam · row · cabinet · press

  1. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  2. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  3. Did you ________________ the button?
  4. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  5. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  6. What do you think of the new ________________?
  7. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  8. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  9. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  10. Cut the butternut ________________ into one-inch cubes.
  11. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  12. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  13. The president vowed to ________________ the mutiny.
  14. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  15. We had to ________________ the boat across the lake.
  16. I had a ________________ with my boss today.
  17. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  18. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  19. I'd like to play a game of ________________.
  20. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  21. The girl drawing a picture in the first ________________ is my niece.
  22. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  23. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  24. The ________________ change colour in autumn.

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

Answer key

  1. chip — for betting
  2. press — a publisher
  3. press — to push
  4. leaves — lets stay
  5. cabinet — ministers
  6. cabinet — ministers
  7. leaves — to go away
  8. pass — to spend time
  9. press — newspapers
  10. squash — the vegetable
  11. jam — a tight spot
  12. chip — in a computer
  13. squash — to crush
  14. cabinet — a cupboard
  15. row — to paddle
  16. row — a quarrel
  17. jam — in traffic
  18. chip — to eat
  19. squash — the sport
  20. jam — to spread on bread
  21. row — a line
  22. pass — a permit
  23. pass — to succeed
  24. leaves — of a tree

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