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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
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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: calf · roll · hide · craft · chip · field · jam · press

  1. Flower arranging is a traditional ________________ in Japan.
  2. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  3. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  4. The stadium has a track around the football ________________.
  5. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  6. Small ________________ should stay in the harbor during the storm.
  7. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  8. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  9. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  10. We're on a ________________ here.
  11. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  12. He spent years learning his ________________ as a carpenter.
  13. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  14. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  15. The teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.
  16. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  17. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  18. Did you ________________ the button?
  19. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  20. She's an expert in the ________________ of medicine.
  21. Vegetables are growing on this ________________.
  22. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  23. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.
  24. Tom got himself in a ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. craft — a handicraft
  2. chip — to eat
  3. press — newspapers
  4. field — for sport
  5. hide — to keep secret
  6. craft — boats
  7. jam — in traffic
  8. calf — of the leg
  9. chip — in a computer
  10. roll — on a roll
  11. hide — animal skin
  12. craft — a skill
  13. jam — to spread on bread
  14. press — a publisher
  15. roll — a list
  16. chip — for betting
  17. hide — to keep secret
  18. press — to push
  19. calf — a young animal
  20. field — a subject
  21. field — farmland
  22. calf — a young animal
  23. roll — a cake
  24. jam — a tight spot

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