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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
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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: fan · drill · cabinet · ball · bay · mouse · key · tube

  1. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  2. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  3. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  4. We had a fire ________________ at school today.
  5. The soldiers did ________________ on the parade ground every morning.
  6. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  7. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  8. I need a ________________ to install the towel rack.
  9. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  10. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  11. This piece is in a major ________________.
  12. What do you think of the new ________________?
  13. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  14. The King held a masked ________________.
  15. I'll be taking the ________________.
  16. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  17. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  18. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  19. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  20. My mare is ________________ in color.
  21. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  22. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  23. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  24. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.

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

Answer key

  1. cabinet — a cupboard
  2. mouse — the animal
  3. ball — a round shape
  4. drill — a practice
  5. drill — army training
  6. ball — a great time
  7. key — the most important part
  8. drill — the tool
  9. fan — a supporter
  10. mouse — for a computer
  11. key — in music
  12. cabinet — ministers
  13. bay — to keep at bay
  14. ball — a dance
  15. tube — the underground
  16. cabinet — ministers
  17. bay — a part of the sea
  18. tube — a container
  19. fan — to cool the air
  20. bay — a horse colour
  21. tube — in a tire
  22. fan — a supporter
  23. key — for a lock
  24. mouse — the animal

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