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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.

Make a worksheet

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
468
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: wax · fan · temple · bear · hide · can · key · chip

  1. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  2. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  3. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  4. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  5. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  6. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  7. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  8. When was this ________________ built?
  9. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  10. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  11. This piece is in a major ________________.
  12. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  13. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  14. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  15. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  16. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  17. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  18. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  19. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  20. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  21. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  22. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  23. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  24. Can you turn the ________________ on?

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

Answer key

  1. can — to be able to
  2. chip — to eat
  3. wax — in the ear
  4. fan — a supporter
  5. wax — to grow
  6. chip — in a computer
  7. hide — to keep secret
  8. temple — a place of worship
  9. chip — for betting
  10. bear — the animal
  11. key — in music
  12. fan — a supporter
  13. key — for a lock
  14. can — a tin
  15. can — a tin
  16. bear — the animal
  17. wax — for sculpting
  18. hide — animal skin
  19. bear — to put up with
  20. hide — to keep secret
  21. key — the most important part
  22. temple — side of the head
  23. temple — a place of worship
  24. fan — to cool the air

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