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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.

Make a worksheet

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: chip · lie · bore · can · present · leaves · key · mouse

  1. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  2. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  3. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  4. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  5. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  6. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  7. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  8. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  9. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  10. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  11. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  12. Actually, the ________________ method has plenty of room for improvement.
  13. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  14. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  15. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  16. Did you get a birthday ________________ for him this year?
  17. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  18. This piece is in a major ________________.
  19. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  20. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  21. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  22. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  23. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  24. My partner was ________________ at the birth of our baby.

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

Answer key

  1. mouse — for a computer
  2. bore — to drill
  3. chip — for betting
  4. lie — an untruth
  5. mouse — the animal
  6. can — to be able to
  7. leaves — lets stay
  8. chip — to eat
  9. mouse — the animal
  10. can — a tin
  11. bore — to tire
  12. present — the time now
  13. leaves — of a tree
  14. lie — an untruth
  15. key — the most important part
  16. present — a gift
  17. leaves — to go away
  18. key — in music
  19. chip — in a computer
  20. bore — gave birth
  21. key — for a lock
  22. lie — to recline
  23. can — a tin
  24. present — there

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