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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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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: board · firm · lash · fan · chip · bulb · mug · drill

  1. We had a fire ________________ at school today.
  2. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  3. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  4. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  5. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  6. I've got to change the light ________________.
  7. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  8. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  9. Where did you ________________ them?
  10. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  11. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  12. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  13. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  14. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  15. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  16. The soldiers did ________________ on the parade ground every morning.
  17. The light ________________ burned out.
  18. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  19. I need a ________________ to install the towel rack.
  20. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  21. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  22. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  23. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  24. There's a computer ________________ on the table.

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

Answer key

  1. drill — a practice
  2. fan — a supporter
  3. chip — for betting
  4. lash — a whip stroke
  5. chip — to eat
  6. bulb — for light
  7. firm — decided
  8. bulb — of a plant
  9. mug — to rob
  10. lash — an eyelash
  11. board — a flat piece
  12. board — a committee
  13. fan — a supporter
  14. lash — to lash out
  15. mug — a cup
  16. drill — army training
  17. bulb — for light
  18. firm — a company
  19. drill — the tool
  20. firm — steady
  21. board — to get on
  22. fan — to cool the air
  23. mug — a face
  24. chip — in a computer

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