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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: pop · board · ruler · root · chip · season · bore · deal

  1. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  2. Michael Jackson and Prince changed the history of ________________ music.
  3. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  4. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  5. Did you ________________ the meat?
  6. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  7. You don't need to ________________ round.
  8. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  9. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  10. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  11. We're almost out of ________________.
  12. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  13. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  14. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  15. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  16. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  17. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  18. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  19. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  20. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  21. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  22. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  23. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  24. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.

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

Answer key

  1. chip — to eat
  2. pop — music
  3. deal — to handle
  4. ruler — for measuring
  5. season — to add flavour
  6. bore — gave birth
  7. pop — to visit
  8. root — of a plant
  9. ruler — a monarch
  10. bore — to drill
  11. pop — soda
  12. deal — an agreement
  13. season — in sport
  14. ruler — for measuring
  15. root — the cause
  16. chip — in a computer
  17. bore — to tire
  18. season — of the year
  19. board — to get on
  20. root — of a word
  21. board — a committee
  22. chip — for betting
  23. board — a flat piece
  24. deal — a big deal

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