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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: can · pit · key · rock · bowl · fan · bear · ball

  1. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  2. This piece is in a major ________________.
  3. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  4. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  5. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  6. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  7. The King held a masked ________________.
  8. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  9. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  10. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  11. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  12. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  13. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  14. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  15. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  16. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  17. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  18. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  19. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  20. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  21. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  22. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  23. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  24. ________________ you help me carry this box?

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

Answer key

  1. key — the most important part
  2. key — in music
  3. can — a tin
  4. rock — to move gently
  5. bear — to put up with
  6. fan — to cool the air
  7. ball — a dance
  8. rock — music
  9. pit — a hole
  10. pit — in a race
  11. ball — a round shape
  12. bowl — a football final
  13. fan — a supporter
  14. bear — the animal
  15. rock — a stone
  16. pit — a fruit stone
  17. fan — a supporter
  18. can — a tin
  19. ball — a great time
  20. key — for a lock
  21. bowl — to roll
  22. bowl — a dish
  23. bear — the animal
  24. can — to be able to

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