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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: can · mug · ball · tube · current · spell · fan · pop

  1. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  2. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  3. We're almost out of ________________.
  4. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  5. Michael Jackson and Prince changed the history of ________________ music.
  6. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  7. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  8. You don't need to ________________ round.
  9. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  10. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  11. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  12. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  13. I'll be taking the ________________.
  14. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  15. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  16. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  17. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  18. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  19. The King held a masked ________________.
  20. Where did you ________________ them?
  21. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  22. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  23. How do you ________________ your surname?
  24. ________________ you help me carry this box?

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

Answer key

  1. spell — a short time
  2. ball — a round shape
  3. pop — soda
  4. current — electric
  5. pop — music
  6. fan — to cool the air
  7. mug — a cup
  8. pop — to visit
  9. mug — a face
  10. can — a tin
  11. ball — a great time
  12. fan — a supporter
  13. tube — the underground
  14. tube — in a tire
  15. current — happening now
  16. current — of water
  17. tube — a container
  18. can — a tin
  19. ball — a dance
  20. mug — to rob
  21. fan — a supporter
  22. spell — magic
  23. spell — letters
  24. can — to be able to

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