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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.

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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: jam · drill · chip · bank · calf · bay · object · press

  1. The soldiers did ________________ on the parade ground every morning.
  2. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  3. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  4. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  5. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  6. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  7. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  8. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  9. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  10. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  11. We had a fire ________________ at school today.
  12. My mare is ________________ in color.
  13. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  14. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  15. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  16. Did you ________________ the button?
  17. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  18. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  19. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  20. I need a ________________ to install the towel rack.
  21. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  22. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  23. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  24. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. drill — army training
  2. chip — for betting
  3. press — newspapers
  4. object — an aim
  5. chip — in a computer
  6. bay — a part of the sea
  7. bank — of a river
  8. jam — a tight spot
  9. calf — a young animal
  10. bank — for money
  11. drill — a practice
  12. bay — a horse colour
  13. jam — to spread on bread
  14. object — to protest
  15. object — a thing
  16. press — to push
  17. press — a publisher
  18. calf — a young animal
  19. bay — to keep at bay
  20. drill — the tool
  21. chip — to eat
  22. bank — for money
  23. calf — of the leg
  24. jam — in traffic

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