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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: tube · ball · bound · bulb · can · row · rock · cabinet

  1. The King held a masked ________________.
  2. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  3. What do you think of the new ________________?
  4. That was ________________ to happen.
  5. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  6. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  7. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  8. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  9. The light ________________ burned out.
  10. The girl drawing a picture in the first ________________ is my niece.
  11. I had a ________________ with my boss today.
  12. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  13. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  14. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  15. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  16. We had to ________________ the boat across the lake.
  17. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  18. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  19. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  20. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  21. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  22. I've got to change the light ________________.
  23. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  24. I'll be taking the ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. ball — a dance
  2. tube — in a tire
  3. cabinet — ministers
  4. bound — certain
  5. rock — to move gently
  6. ball — a great time
  7. cabinet — ministers
  8. bulb — of a plant
  9. bulb — for light
  10. row — a line
  11. row — a quarrel
  12. cabinet — a cupboard
  13. ball — a round shape
  14. rock — a stone
  15. can — a tin
  16. row — to paddle
  17. bound — tied together
  18. can — a tin
  19. can — to be able to
  20. rock — music
  21. tube — a container
  22. bulb — for light
  23. bound — obliged
  24. tube — the underground

Multiple-meaning words list

Tick up to 10 words to build a worksheet with just those words.

Make a worksheet (0 words)

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