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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: hide · chip · toast · safe · net · jam · coach · kick

  1. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  2. The ball hit the back of the ________________.
  3. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  4. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  5. One ________________ from a giraffe's hind leg is enough to kill a lion.
  6. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  7. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  8. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  9. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  10. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  11. Have you met the new head ________________?
  12. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  13. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  14. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  15. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  16. I get a ________________ out of her cheerful personality.
  17. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  18. What was your ________________ profit last year?
  19. They were given a penalty ________________ just minutes from the end.
  20. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  21. He took the fish out of the ________________.
  22. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  23. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  24. We have nothing to ________________ here.

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

Answer key

  1. chip — in a computer
  2. net — in sport
  3. chip — for betting
  4. jam — in traffic
  5. kick — with a leg
  6. jam — a tight spot
  7. hide — animal skin
  8. safe — out of danger
  9. toast — bread
  10. coach — pulled by horses
  11. coach — a trainer
  12. chip — to eat
  13. toast — the most admired
  14. jam — to spread on bread
  15. safe — out of danger
  16. kick — a thrill
  17. toast — a drink to someone
  18. net — after costs
  19. kick — in football
  20. hide — to keep secret
  21. net — for catching
  22. coach — a trainer
  23. safe — a strongbox
  24. hide — to keep secret

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