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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: stick · press · chip · current · ball · saw · toast · rash

  1. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  2. Did you ________________ the button?
  3. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  4. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  5. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  6. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  7. The King held a masked ________________.
  8. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  9. She's very handy with a ________________.
  10. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  11. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  12. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  13. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  14. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  15. He works in a ________________ mill.
  16. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  17. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  18. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  19. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  20. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  21. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  22. Don't do anything ________________.
  23. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  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. press — to push
  3. saw — past of 'see'
  4. rash — a series
  5. toast — the most admired
  6. chip — in a computer
  7. ball — a dance
  8. rash — on the skin
  9. saw — the tool
  10. toast — bread
  11. current — happening now
  12. press — newspapers
  13. toast — a drink to someone
  14. press — a publisher
  15. saw — the tool
  16. stick — a piece of wood
  17. chip — to eat
  18. current — of water
  19. stick — a piece of wood
  20. stick — to attach or keep to
  21. ball — a round shape
  22. rash — hasty
  23. current — electric
  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