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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: can · plane · bear · swing · suit · jam · fan · roll

  1. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  2. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  3. The ________________ took off on time.
  4. The coach helped Matthew straighten out his golf ________________, improving his game.
  5. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  6. In jazz, ________________ was gradually being replaced by bebop.
  7. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  8. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  9. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  10. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  11. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  12. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.
  13. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  14. The teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.
  15. We're on a ________________ here.
  16. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  17. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  18. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  19. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  20. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  21. David sat on the ________________.
  22. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  23. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  24. When will it ________________ you to start?

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

Answer key

  1. fan — a supporter
  2. bear — to put up with
  3. plane — an aircraft
  4. swing — in golf
  5. fan — a supporter
  6. swing — music
  7. jam — in traffic
  8. suit — clothes
  9. jam — a tight spot
  10. plane — in geometry
  11. bear — the animal
  12. roll — a cake
  13. suit — in cards
  14. roll — a list
  15. roll — on a roll
  16. fan — to cool the air
  17. can — a tin
  18. plane — a tool
  19. jam — to spread on bread
  20. bear — the animal
  21. swing — to play on
  22. can — a tin
  23. can — to be able to
  24. suit — to fit

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