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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.

Make a worksheet

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: capital · kick · track · dip · bowl · calf · ball · bass

  1. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  2. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  3. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  4. The King held a masked ________________.
  5. They were given a penalty ________________ just minutes from the end.
  6. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  7. A second agreement was made due to the large amount of available ________________.
  8. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  9. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  10. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  11. The beginning of a sentence starts with a ________________ letter.
  12. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  13. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  14. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  15. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  16. One ________________ from a giraffe's hind leg is enough to kill a lion.
  17. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  18. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  19. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  20. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  21. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  22. Beijing is the ________________ of China.
  23. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  24. I get a ________________ out of her cheerful personality.

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

Answer key

  1. dip — a sauce
  2. ball — a round shape
  3. bass — the instrument
  4. ball — a dance
  5. kick — in football
  6. bass — low music
  7. capital — money
  8. calf — a young animal
  9. bowl — a dish
  10. calf — of the leg
  11. capital — a big letter
  12. dip — to sink
  13. track — a song
  14. track — a path
  15. bass — the fish
  16. kick — with a leg
  17. dip — to dunk
  18. bowl — a football final
  19. track — to keep track
  20. calf — a young animal
  21. ball — a great time
  22. capital — a city
  23. bowl — to roll
  24. kick — a thrill

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