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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
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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: bowl · staff · stick · ruler · spell · bass · can · fan

  1. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  2. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  3. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  4. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  5. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  6. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  7. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  8. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  9. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  10. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  11. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  12. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  13. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  14. How do you ________________ your surname?
  15. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  16. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  17. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  18. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  19. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  20. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  21. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  22. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  23. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  24. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. bass — the instrument
  2. staff — employees
  3. bowl — a football final
  4. ruler — for measuring
  5. fan — a supporter
  6. ruler — a monarch
  7. can — a tin
  8. fan — to cool the air
  9. staff — a stick
  10. stick — a piece of wood
  11. staff — employees
  12. bass — low music
  13. spell — a short time
  14. spell — letters
  15. bowl — to roll
  16. can — to be able to
  17. stick — a piece of wood
  18. ruler — for measuring
  19. can — a tin
  20. bass — the fish
  21. stick — to attach or keep to
  22. spell — magic
  23. fan — a supporter
  24. bowl — a dish

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