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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. Can you put the ________________ back on the pen?
  2. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  3. We're on a ________________ here.
  4. The polar ice ________________ is melting.
  5. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  6. Flower arranging is a traditional ________________ in Japan.
  7. The teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.
  8. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  9. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  10. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  11. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  12. Small ________________ should stay in the harbor during the storm.
  13. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  14. He is an ace ________________.
  15. He spent years learning his ________________ as a carpenter.
  16. It's best to wear a ________________ on your head during the cold Moscow winters.
  17. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  18. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  19. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  20. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  21. The King held a masked ________________.
  22. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  23. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  24. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. cap — a lid
  2. safe — a strongbox
  3. roll — on a roll
  4. cap — of ice
  5. bowl — a dish
  6. craft — a handicraft
  7. roll — a list
  8. safe — out of danger
  9. mouse — the animal
  10. ball — a great time
  11. safe — out of danger
  12. craft — boats
  13. mouse — the animal
  14. pitcher — in baseball
  15. craft — a skill
  16. cap — a hat
  17. mouse — for a computer
  18. bowl — a football final
  19. pitcher — a jug
  20. pitcher — a jug
  21. ball — a dance
  22. ball — a round shape
  23. bowl — to roll
  24. roll — a cake

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