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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.

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: mine · ruler · wave · stick · board · ball · dip · can

  1. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  2. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  3. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  4. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  5. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  6. He was blown up by a land ________________.
  7. I met an old friend of ________________ the other day.
  8. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  9. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  10. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  11. The King held a masked ________________.
  12. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  13. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  14. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  15. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  16. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  17. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  18. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  19. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  20. She's sitting on a gold ________________.
  21. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  22. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  23. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  24. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.

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

Answer key

  1. ball — a round shape
  2. can — a tin
  3. wave — of the sea
  4. ball — a great time
  5. board — to get on
  6. mine — an explosive
  7. mine — belonging to me
  8. board — a flat piece
  9. dip — a sauce
  10. stick — to attach or keep to
  11. ball — a dance
  12. ruler — for measuring
  13. stick — a piece of wood
  14. board — a committee
  15. can — a tin
  16. ruler — for measuring
  17. dip — to sink
  18. stick — a piece of wood
  19. ruler — a monarch
  20. mine — for digging
  21. dip — to dunk
  22. can — to be able to
  23. wave — with your hand
  24. wave — a sudden rise

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