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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: straw · ruler · stand · pitcher · key · suit · chip · board

  1. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  2. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  3. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  4. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  5. It always has to be a ________________ man with them.
  6. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  7. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  8. When will it ________________ you to start?
  9. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  10. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  11. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  12. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  13. A drowning man will clutch at a ________________.
  14. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  15. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  16. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  17. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  18. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  19. This piece is in a major ________________.
  20. He is an ace ________________.
  21. I can't ________________ this cold.
  22. The goat rested comfortably on a soft bed of ________________.
  23. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  24. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. chip — for betting
  2. stand — on your feet
  3. key — for a lock
  4. board — to get on
  5. straw — a straw man
  6. chip — in a computer
  7. key — the most important part
  8. suit — to fit
  9. ruler — for measuring
  10. ruler — for measuring
  11. suit — in cards
  12. pitcher — a jug
  13. straw — to clutch at straws
  14. board — a flat piece
  15. board — a committee
  16. ruler — a monarch
  17. chip — to eat
  18. suit — clothes
  19. key — in music
  20. pitcher — in baseball
  21. stand — to bear
  22. straw — dry grass
  23. pitcher — a jug
  24. stand — for spectators

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