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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.

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: nail · foot · stick · rock · press · ball · chip · dip

  1. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  2. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  3. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  4. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  5. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  6. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  7. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  8. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  9. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  10. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  11. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  12. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  13. Did you ________________ the button?
  14. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  15. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  16. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  17. The King held a masked ________________.
  18. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  19. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  20. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  21. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  22. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  23. The ________________ went through the wall.
  24. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.

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

Answer key

  1. chip — for betting
  2. chip — in a computer
  3. press — a publisher
  4. stick — a piece of wood
  5. dip — a sauce
  6. dip — to sink
  7. rock — a stone
  8. press — newspapers
  9. rock — to move gently
  10. rock — music
  11. nail — on a finger
  12. dip — to dunk
  13. press — to push
  14. foot — the bottom
  15. stick — a piece of wood
  16. nail — for a hammer
  17. ball — a dance
  18. ball — a round shape
  19. chip — to eat
  20. foot — part of the body
  21. stick — to attach or keep to
  22. foot — a measure
  23. nail — for a hammer
  24. ball — a great time

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