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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: ball · racket · bowl · safe · snap · dip · rock · rush

  1. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  2. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  3. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  4. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  5. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  6. ________________ out of it! You haven't done a thing all week.
  7. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  8. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  9. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  10. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  11. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  12. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  13. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  14. The King held a masked ________________.
  15. You don't have to ________________ at me like that.
  16. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  17. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  18. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  19. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  20. That must've been a ________________.
  21. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  22. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  23. When I ________________ my fingers, you'll wake up.
  24. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.

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

Answer key

  1. bowl — a football final
  2. dip — to sink
  3. rock — to move gently
  4. racket — for tennis
  5. racket — a loud noise
  6. snap — to snap out of it
  7. dip — to dunk
  8. safe — out of danger
  9. ball — a round shape
  10. bowl — a dish
  11. rock — music
  12. rush — to hurry
  13. safe — a strongbox
  14. ball — a dance
  15. snap — to speak sharply
  16. safe — out of danger
  17. bowl — to roll
  18. racket — for tennis
  19. rush — hurry
  20. rush — a thrill
  21. dip — a sauce
  22. rock — a stone
  23. snap — to click
  24. ball — a great time

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