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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
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: squash · cabinet · ruler · last · chip · jam · charge · plane

  1. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  2. I'd like to play a game of ________________.
  3. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  4. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  5. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  6. Today is the ________________ day of the holidays. Back to school tomorrow!
  7. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  8. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  9. The president vowed to ________________ the mutiny.
  10. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  11. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  12. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  13. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  14. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  15. At ________________, we arrived at the village.
  16. The tickets are free of ________________.
  17. What do you think of the new ________________?
  18. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  19. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  20. The ________________ took off on time.
  21. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  22. Cut the butternut ________________ into one-inch cubes.
  23. False peace will not ________________.
  24. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.

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

Answer key

  1. plane — a tool
  2. squash — the sport
  3. chip — in a computer
  4. jam — a tight spot
  5. cabinet — a cupboard
  6. last — final
  7. charge — electricity
  8. cabinet — ministers
  9. squash — to crush
  10. jam — to spread on bread
  11. ruler — for measuring
  12. chip — to eat
  13. plane — in geometry
  14. ruler — a monarch
  15. last — finally
  16. charge — a price
  17. cabinet — ministers
  18. ruler — for measuring
  19. jam — in traffic
  20. plane — an aircraft
  21. charge — in control
  22. squash — the vegetable
  23. last — to go on
  24. chip — for betting

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