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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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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 · mark · rock · foot · key · saw · bore · hide

  1. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  2. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  3. This piece is in a major ________________.
  4. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  5. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  6. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  7. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  8. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  9. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  10. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  11. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  12. She's very handy with a ________________.
  13. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  14. He works in a ________________ mill.
  15. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  16. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  17. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  18. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  19. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  20. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  21. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  22. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  23. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  24. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.

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

Answer key

  1. chip — in a computer
  2. saw — past of 'see'
  3. key — in music
  4. bore — to tire
  5. chip — to eat
  6. rock — a stone
  7. chip — for betting
  8. key — the most important part
  9. rock — music
  10. mark — to pay attention
  11. mark — a trace
  12. saw — the tool
  13. foot — the bottom
  14. saw — the tool
  15. foot — part of the body
  16. hide — animal skin
  17. key — for a lock
  18. hide — to keep secret
  19. rock — to move gently
  20. bore — gave birth
  21. mark — a grade
  22. foot — a measure
  23. hide — to keep secret
  24. bore — to drill

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