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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: key · bore · chip · fine · cabinet · bulb · mark · stem

  1. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  2. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  3. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  4. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  5. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  6. The light ________________ burned out.
  7. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  8. What do you think of the new ________________?
  9. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  10. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  11. I've got to change the light ________________.
  12. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  13. Many English words ________________ from Latin.
  14. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  15. This piece is in a major ________________.
  16. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  17. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  18. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  19. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  20. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  21. Scientists study ________________ cells to repair damaged tissue.
  22. The big green plant was starting to droop at the ________________.
  23. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  24. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?

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

Answer key

  1. chip — in a computer
  2. key — the most important part
  3. bore — to drill
  4. chip — for betting
  5. bulb — of a plant
  6. bulb — for light
  7. fine — a penalty
  8. cabinet — ministers
  9. fine — all right
  10. cabinet — ministers
  11. bulb — for light
  12. fine — high quality
  13. stem — to come from
  14. bore — gave birth
  15. key — in music
  16. cabinet — a cupboard
  17. mark — to pay attention
  18. mark — a grade
  19. chip — to eat
  20. bore — to tire
  21. stem — a stem cell
  22. stem — of a plant
  23. mark — a trace
  24. key — for a lock

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