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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: current · tube · bound · bowl · can · mate · craft · net

  1. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  2. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  3. Flower arranging is a traditional ________________ in Japan.
  4. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  5. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  6. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  7. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  8. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  9. Small ________________ should stay in the harbor during the storm.
  10. I'll be taking the ________________.
  11. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  12. He spent years learning his ________________ as a carpenter.
  13. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  14. The ball hit the back of the ________________.
  15. Have you found your soul ________________?
  16. What was your ________________ profit last year?
  17. He took the fish out of the ________________.
  18. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  19. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  20. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  21. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  22. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  23. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  24. That was ________________ to happen.

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

Answer key

  1. bound — tied together
  2. can — a tin
  3. craft — a handicraft
  4. can — a tin
  5. current — electric
  6. tube — in a tire
  7. tube — a container
  8. current — happening now
  9. craft — boats
  10. tube — the underground
  11. bound — obliged
  12. craft — a skill
  13. can — to be able to
  14. net — in sport
  15. mate — a partner
  16. net — after costs
  17. net — for catching
  18. bowl — a football final
  19. current — of water
  20. mate — to breed
  21. bowl — a dish
  22. mate — a friend
  23. bowl — to roll
  24. bound — certain

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