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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 120 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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Multiple-Meaning Words

Name: ____________________Date: __________

Write the missing word in each sentence. Each word is used more than once, with a different meaning each time.

  1. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  2. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  3. My rich neighbors belong to a private golf ________________.
  4. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  5. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  6. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  7. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  8. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  9. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  10. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  11. Actually, the ________________ method has plenty of room for improvement.
  12. The ________________ took off on time.
  13. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  14. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  15. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  16. Later, his shop becomes a ________________ with young dancers.
  17. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  18. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  19. My partner was ________________ at the birth of our baby.
  20. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  21. When was this ________________ built?
  22. I belonged to the harmonica ________________ in my high school days.
  23. Did you get a birthday ________________ for him this year?
  24. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.

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

Answer key

  1. racket — for tennis
  2. can — a tin
  3. club — for golf
  4. can — to be able to
  5. fine — high quality
  6. racket — a loud noise
  7. can — a tin
  8. fine — all right
  9. temple — a place of worship
  10. fine — a penalty
  11. present — the time now
  12. plane — an aircraft
  13. current — happening now
  14. plane — in geometry
  15. current — of water
  16. club — for dancing
  17. temple — side of the head
  18. racket — for tennis
  19. present — there
  20. current — electric
  21. temple — a place of worship
  22. club — a group
  23. present — a gift
  24. plane — a tool

Multiple-meaning words list

Tick up to 10 words to build a worksheet with just those words.

Make a worksheet (0 words)

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