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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.

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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: bulb · roll · racket · track · firm · press · bowl · can

  1. We're on a ________________ here.
  2. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  3. I've got to change the light ________________.
  4. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  5. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  6. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  7. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  8. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  9. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  10. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  11. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  12. The teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.
  13. Did you ________________ the button?
  14. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  15. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  16. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  17. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  18. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.
  19. The light ________________ burned out.
  20. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  21. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  22. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  23. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  24. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.

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

Answer key

  1. roll — on a roll
  2. bowl — to roll
  3. bulb — for light
  4. bowl — a football final
  5. track — a song
  6. press — newspapers
  7. racket — a loud noise
  8. firm — a company
  9. press — a publisher
  10. track — to keep track
  11. racket — for tennis
  12. roll — a list
  13. press — to push
  14. bulb — of a plant
  15. can — a tin
  16. racket — for tennis
  17. can — a tin
  18. roll — a cake
  19. bulb — for light
  20. track — a path
  21. firm — steady
  22. bowl — a dish
  23. can — to be able to
  24. firm — decided

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