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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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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 don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  2. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  3. The ________________ went through the wall.
  4. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  5. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  6. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  7. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  8. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  9. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  10. The tickets are free of ________________.
  11. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  12. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  13. The King held a masked ________________.
  14. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  15. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  16. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  17. I'll be taking the ________________.
  18. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  19. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  20. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  21. Did you ________________ the meat?
  22. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  23. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  24. Where can I ________________ my mobile?

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

Answer key

  1. mouse — the animal
  2. bowl — a football final
  3. nail — for a hammer
  4. ball — a round shape
  5. tube — in a tire
  6. bowl — to roll
  7. mouse — the animal
  8. can — to be able to
  9. can — a tin
  10. charge — a price
  11. ball — a great time
  12. nail — on a finger
  13. ball — a dance
  14. nail — for a hammer
  15. mouse — for a computer
  16. charge — in control
  17. tube — the underground
  18. season — in sport
  19. can — a tin
  20. season — of the year
  21. season — to add flavour
  22. bowl — a dish
  23. tube — a container
  24. charge — electricity

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