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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: bulb · board · can · bass · rock · chip · cabinet · object

  1. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  2. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  3. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  4. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  5. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  6. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  7. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  8. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  9. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  10. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  11. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  12. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  13. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  14. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  15. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  16. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  17. I've got to change the light ________________.
  18. What do you think of the new ________________?
  19. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  20. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  21. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  22. The light ________________ burned out.
  23. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  24. Recycle the empty soda ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. object — a thing
  2. chip — in a computer
  3. rock — music
  4. can — to be able to
  5. bulb — of a plant
  6. chip — to eat
  7. chip — for betting
  8. bass — the instrument
  9. object — an aim
  10. board — a committee
  11. can — a tin
  12. board — a flat piece
  13. rock — a stone
  14. object — to protest
  15. rock — to move gently
  16. board — to get on
  17. bulb — for light
  18. cabinet — ministers
  19. bass — low music
  20. cabinet — a cupboard
  21. bass — the fish
  22. bulb — for light
  23. cabinet — ministers
  24. can — a tin

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