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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.

Words on the sheet
468
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: foot · racket · safe · fan · can · tube

  1. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  2. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  3. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  4. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  5. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  6. I'll be taking the ________________.
  7. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  8. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  9. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  10. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  11. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  12. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  13. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  14. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  15. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  16. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  17. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  18. Can you turn the ________________ on?

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

Answer key

  1. tube — in a tire
  2. safe — out of danger
  3. foot — the bottom
  4. fan — a supporter
  5. can — a tin
  6. tube — the underground
  7. foot — part of the body
  8. can — a tin
  9. fan — a supporter
  10. racket — for tennis
  11. can — to be able to
  12. racket — a loud noise
  13. racket — for tennis
  14. safe — out of danger
  15. tube — a container
  16. safe — a strongbox
  17. foot — a measure
  18. fan — to cool the air

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