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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: stand · chip · bore · jam · plane · spell · mouse · current

  1. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  2. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  3. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  4. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  5. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  6. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  7. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  8. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  9. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  10. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  11. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  12. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  13. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  14. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  15. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  16. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  17. The ________________ took off on time.
  18. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  19. How do you ________________ your surname?
  20. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  21. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  22. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  23. I can't ________________ this cold.
  24. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.

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

Answer key

  1. plane — a tool
  2. chip — for betting
  3. bore — to drill
  4. jam — a tight spot
  5. jam — in traffic
  6. mouse — the animal
  7. current — of water
  8. mouse — the animal
  9. bore — to tire
  10. current — happening now
  11. spell — magic
  12. stand — on your feet
  13. spell — a short time
  14. chip — in a computer
  15. jam — to spread on bread
  16. mouse — for a computer
  17. plane — an aircraft
  18. bore — gave birth
  19. spell — letters
  20. current — electric
  21. plane — in geometry
  22. stand — for spectators
  23. stand — to bear
  24. chip — to eat

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