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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 116 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: tube · stick · stem · safe · mate · board · chip · fan

  1. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  2. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  3. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  4. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  5. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  6. The big green plant was starting to droop at the ________________.
  7. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  8. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  9. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  10. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  11. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  12. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  13. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  14. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  15. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  16. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  17. Have you found your soul ________________?
  18. Many English words ________________ from Latin.
  19. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  20. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  21. I'll be taking the ________________.
  22. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  23. Scientists study ________________ cells to repair damaged tissue.
  24. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.

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

Answer key

  1. chip — to eat
  2. board — a flat piece
  3. safe — out of danger
  4. tube — a container
  5. chip — for betting
  6. stem — of a plant
  7. stick — a piece of wood
  8. stick — to attach or keep to
  9. fan — to cool the air
  10. board — a committee
  11. chip — in a computer
  12. stick — a piece of wood
  13. tube — in a tire
  14. fan — a supporter
  15. fan — a supporter
  16. safe — a strongbox
  17. mate — a partner
  18. stem — to come from
  19. safe — out of danger
  20. board — to get on
  21. tube — the underground
  22. mate — a friend
  23. stem — a stem cell
  24. mate — to breed

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