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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.

Words on the sheet
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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: leaves · chip · pop · current · tube · calf · press · key

  1. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  2. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  3. This piece is in a major ________________.
  4. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  5. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  6. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  7. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  8. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  9. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  10. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  11. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  12. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  13. We're almost out of ________________.
  14. Did you ________________ the button?
  15. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  16. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  17. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  18. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  19. Michael Jackson and Prince changed the history of ________________ music.
  20. I'll be taking the ________________.
  21. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  22. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  23. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  24. You don't need to ________________ round.

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

Answer key

  1. key — for a lock
  2. chip — in a computer
  3. key — in music
  4. leaves — to go away
  5. press — newspapers
  6. tube — a container
  7. calf — a young animal
  8. current — electric
  9. leaves — lets stay
  10. leaves — of a tree
  11. chip — to eat
  12. key — the most important part
  13. pop — soda
  14. press — to push
  15. current — of water
  16. current — happening now
  17. calf — of the leg
  18. calf — a young animal
  19. pop — music
  20. tube — the underground
  21. chip — for betting
  22. tube — in a tire
  23. press — a publisher
  24. pop — to visit

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