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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: chair · lash · suit · can · chip · bore · current · object

  1. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  2. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  3. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  4. I put the bag on or beside the ________________.
  5. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  6. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  7. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  8. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  9. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  10. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  11. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  12. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  13. When will it ________________ you to start?
  14. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  15. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  16. James Baker serves as an Honorary Co-________________ for the World Justice Project.
  17. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  18. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  19. Professor Sir Peter Hirsch formerly held the ________________.
  20. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  21. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  22. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  23. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  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. bore — to drill
  2. chip — for betting
  3. suit — in cards
  4. chair — to sit on
  5. lash — an eyelash
  6. chip — in a computer
  7. can — a tin
  8. lash — a whip stroke
  9. bore — gave birth
  10. suit — clothes
  11. current — happening now
  12. object — a thing
  13. suit — to fit
  14. bore — to tire
  15. can — to be able to
  16. chair — a leader
  17. can — a tin
  18. lash — to lash out
  19. chair — a professorship
  20. current — of water
  21. object — to protest
  22. current — electric
  23. object — an aim
  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