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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 120 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.

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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: can · calf · pass · row · club · ball · cabinet · tube

  1. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  2. The King held a masked ________________.
  3. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  4. We had to ________________ the boat across the lake.
  5. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  6. I'll be taking the ________________.
  7. Later, his shop becomes a ________________ with young dancers.
  8. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  9. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  10. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  11. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  12. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  13. The girl drawing a picture in the first ________________ is my niece.
  14. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  15. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  16. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  17. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  18. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  19. I had a ________________ with my boss today.
  20. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  21. I belonged to the harmonica ________________ in my high school days.
  22. What do you think of the new ________________?
  23. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  24. My rich neighbors belong to a private golf ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. pass — a permit
  2. ball — a dance
  3. cabinet — ministers
  4. row — to paddle
  5. tube — in a tire
  6. tube — the underground
  7. club — for dancing
  8. ball — a great time
  9. calf — a young animal
  10. can — to be able to
  11. pass — to spend time
  12. cabinet — a cupboard
  13. row — a line
  14. calf — of the leg
  15. can — a tin
  16. ball — a round shape
  17. tube — a container
  18. calf — a young animal
  19. row — a quarrel
  20. pass — to succeed
  21. club — a group
  22. cabinet — ministers
  23. can — a tin
  24. club — for golf

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