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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: nail · pitcher · hide · suit · perch · rash · chip · can

  1. When will it ________________ you to start?
  2. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  3. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  4. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  5. The ________________ went through the wall.
  6. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  7. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  8. Don't do anything ________________.
  9. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  10. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  11. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  12. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  13. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  14. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  15. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  16. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  17. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  18. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  19. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  20. He is an ace ________________.
  21. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  22. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  23. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  24. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.

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

Answer key

  1. suit — to fit
  2. rash — a series
  3. chip — to eat
  4. pitcher — a jug
  5. nail — for a hammer
  6. chip — in a computer
  7. nail — for a hammer
  8. rash — hasty
  9. hide — animal skin
  10. perch — the fish
  11. chip — for betting
  12. can — a tin
  13. hide — to keep secret
  14. perch — for a bird
  15. perch — for a bird
  16. suit — clothes
  17. hide — to keep secret
  18. can — a tin
  19. pitcher — a jug
  20. pitcher — in baseball
  21. suit — in cards
  22. rash — on the skin
  23. can — to be able to
  24. nail — on a finger

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