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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: pop · chip · bulb · ruler · fine · leaves · chair · staff

  1. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  2. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  3. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  4. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  5. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  6. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  7. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  8. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  9. I've got to change the light ________________.
  10. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  11. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  12. You don't need to ________________ round.
  13. The light ________________ burned out.
  14. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  15. I put the bag on or beside the ________________.
  16. Michael Jackson and Prince changed the history of ________________ music.
  17. We're almost out of ________________.
  18. James Baker serves as an Honorary Co-________________ for the World Justice Project.
  19. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  20. Professor Sir Peter Hirsch formerly held the ________________.
  21. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  22. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  23. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  24. There's a computer ________________ on the table.

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

Answer key

  1. leaves — of a tree
  2. fine — a penalty
  3. ruler — for measuring
  4. leaves — lets stay
  5. staff — employees
  6. chip — for betting
  7. ruler — a monarch
  8. bulb — of a plant
  9. bulb — for light
  10. staff — employees
  11. fine — all right
  12. pop — to visit
  13. bulb — for light
  14. fine — high quality
  15. chair — to sit on
  16. pop — music
  17. pop — soda
  18. chair — a leader
  19. ruler — for measuring
  20. chair — a professorship
  21. chip — to eat
  22. staff — a stick
  23. leaves — to go away
  24. chip — in a computer

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