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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: bulb · bowl · ball · ruler · bass · spell · mouse · cap

  1. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  2. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  3. The light ________________ burned out.
  4. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  5. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  6. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  7. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  8. The King held a masked ________________.
  9. It's best to wear a ________________ on your head during the cold Moscow winters.
  10. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  11. How do you ________________ your surname?
  12. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  13. The polar ice ________________ is melting.
  14. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  15. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  16. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  17. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  18. Can you put the ________________ back on the pen?
  19. I've got to change the light ________________.
  20. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  21. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  22. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  23. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  24. The people resisted their cruel ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. bass — the fish
  2. spell — a short time
  3. bulb — for light
  4. bass — the instrument
  5. mouse — the animal
  6. ruler — for measuring
  7. bowl — to roll
  8. ball — a dance
  9. cap — a hat
  10. bowl — a dish
  11. spell — letters
  12. ruler — for measuring
  13. cap — of ice
  14. bulb — of a plant
  15. ball — a round shape
  16. mouse — the animal
  17. mouse — for a computer
  18. cap — a lid
  19. bulb — for light
  20. bass — low music
  21. ball — a great time
  22. bowl — a football final
  23. spell — magic
  24. ruler — a monarch

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