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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 120 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: board · rock · ball · cell · chip · key · bound · rash

  1. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  2. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  3. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  4. Each ________________ is a complete and highly sophisticated living world in its own right.
  5. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  6. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  7. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  8. That was ________________ to happen.
  9. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  10. The King held a masked ________________.
  11. This piece is in a major ________________.
  12. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  13. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  14. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  15. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  16. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  17. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  18. He was locked up in a ________________.
  19. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  20. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  21. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  22. Oh no! I wasn't paying attention and left my ________________ phone in the restaurant!
  23. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  24. Don't do anything ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. chip — in a computer
  2. key — the most important part
  3. rash — a series
  4. cell — in biology
  5. board — a flat piece
  6. board — to get on
  7. rock — a stone
  8. bound — certain
  9. bound — tied together
  10. ball — a dance
  11. key — in music
  12. bound — obliged
  13. rash — on the skin
  14. rock — to move gently
  15. rock — music
  16. chip — to eat
  17. board — a committee
  18. cell — in a prison
  19. key — for a lock
  20. ball — a round shape
  21. chip — for betting
  22. cell — a phone
  23. ball — a great time
  24. rash — hasty

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