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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.

Make a worksheet

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: racket · key · jam · temple · craft · bass · shower · ball

  1. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  2. The dagger's metal was presumably from the same meteor ________________.
  3. The King held a masked ________________.
  4. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  5. This piece is in a major ________________.
  6. We took cover from the thunder ________________.
  7. He's taking a ________________ right now.
  8. He spent years learning his ________________ as a carpenter.
  9. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  10. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  11. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  12. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  13. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  14. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  15. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  16. Flower arranging is a traditional ________________ in Japan.
  17. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  18. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  19. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  20. Small ________________ should stay in the harbor during the storm.
  21. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  22. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  23. When was this ________________ built?
  24. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.

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

Answer key

  1. jam — in traffic
  2. shower — a meteor shower
  3. ball — a dance
  4. ball — a great time
  5. key — in music
  6. shower — rain
  7. shower — to wash
  8. craft — a skill
  9. racket — for tennis
  10. bass — the fish
  11. temple — side of the head
  12. racket — a loud noise
  13. ball — a round shape
  14. jam — to spread on bread
  15. key — the most important part
  16. craft — a handicraft
  17. bass — the instrument
  18. racket — for tennis
  19. jam — a tight spot
  20. craft — boats
  21. temple — a place of worship
  22. key — for a lock
  23. temple — a place of worship
  24. bass — low music

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