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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
468
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: bowl · court · bulb · press · rush · chip · safe · key

  1. That must've been a ________________.
  2. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  3. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  4. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  5. The light ________________ burned out.
  6. When a clown is made king, the ________________ becomes a circus.
  7. This piece is in a major ________________.
  8. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  9. The ________________ found him guilty of stealing money.
  10. The ball is in your ________________.
  11. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  12. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  13. I've got to change the light ________________.
  14. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  15. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  16. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  17. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  18. Did you ________________ the button?
  19. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  20. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  21. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  22. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  23. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  24. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.

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

Answer key

  1. rush — a thrill
  2. chip — for betting
  3. safe — a strongbox
  4. press — newspapers
  5. bulb — for light
  6. court — of a king
  7. key — in music
  8. press — a publisher
  9. court — of law
  10. court — for sport
  11. bowl — a football final
  12. safe — out of danger
  13. bulb — for light
  14. bulb — of a plant
  15. key — the most important part
  16. safe — out of danger
  17. bowl — to roll
  18. press — to push
  19. bowl — a dish
  20. rush — hurry
  21. chip — in a computer
  22. rush — to hurry
  23. key — for a lock
  24. chip — to eat

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