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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.

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: chip · rash · coach · lie · mate · jam · deal · pass

  1. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  2. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  3. Have you met the new head ________________?
  4. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  5. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  6. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  7. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  8. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  9. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  10. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  11. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  12. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  13. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  14. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  15. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  16. Have you found your soul ________________?
  17. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  18. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  19. Don't do anything ________________.
  20. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  21. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  22. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  23. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  24. Tom got himself in a ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. chip — for betting
  2. pass — to spend time
  3. coach — a trainer
  4. mate — to breed
  5. lie — an untruth
  6. chip — in a computer
  7. coach — a trainer
  8. rash — on the skin
  9. mate — a friend
  10. jam — to spread on bread
  11. lie — an untruth
  12. rash — a series
  13. pass — a permit
  14. lie — to recline
  15. chip — to eat
  16. mate — a partner
  17. deal — to handle
  18. coach — pulled by horses
  19. rash — hasty
  20. pass — to succeed
  21. deal — a big deal
  22. jam — in traffic
  23. deal — an agreement
  24. jam — a tight spot

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