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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: chip · current · kick · pit · nail · calf · fine · pass

  1. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  2. One ________________ from a giraffe's hind leg is enough to kill a lion.
  3. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  4. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  5. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  6. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  7. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  8. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  9. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  10. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  11. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  12. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  13. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  14. I get a ________________ out of her cheerful personality.
  15. The ________________ went through the wall.
  16. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  17. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  18. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  19. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  20. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  21. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  22. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  23. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  24. They were given a penalty ________________ just minutes from the end.

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

Answer key

  1. calf — a young animal
  2. kick — with a leg
  3. chip — for betting
  4. calf — a young animal
  5. pass — to spend time
  6. fine — a penalty
  7. pass — a permit
  8. chip — to eat
  9. pit — in a race
  10. current — electric
  11. pit — a hole
  12. chip — in a computer
  13. current — of water
  14. kick — a thrill
  15. nail — for a hammer
  16. nail — for a hammer
  17. calf — of the leg
  18. pass — to succeed
  19. pit — a fruit stone
  20. nail — on a finger
  21. current — happening now
  22. fine — all right
  23. fine — high quality
  24. kick — in football

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