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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
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: plane · fork · swing · can · bowl · pass · pitcher · craft

  1. In jazz, ________________ was gradually being replaced by bebop.
  2. Use a garden ________________ to turn the soil.
  3. Flower arranging is a traditional ________________ in Japan.
  4. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  5. David sat on the ________________.
  6. The ________________ took off on time.
  7. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  8. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  9. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  10. He is an ace ________________.
  11. We came to a ________________ in the road and had no idea which direction to go.
  12. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  13. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  14. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  15. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  16. Small ________________ should stay in the harbor during the storm.
  17. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  18. The coach helped Matthew straighten out his golf ________________, improving his game.
  19. We usually eat with a knife, ________________ and spoon.
  20. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  21. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  22. He spent years learning his ________________ as a carpenter.
  23. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  24. Recycle the empty soda ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. swing — music
  2. fork — a garden tool
  3. craft — a handicraft
  4. pass — to spend time
  5. swing — to play on
  6. plane — an aircraft
  7. pitcher — a jug
  8. bowl — to roll
  9. bowl — a football final
  10. pitcher — in baseball
  11. fork — in a road
  12. can — a tin
  13. pitcher — a jug
  14. bowl — a dish
  15. plane — in geometry
  16. craft — boats
  17. plane — a tool
  18. swing — in golf
  19. fork — to eat with
  20. can — to be able to
  21. pass — to succeed
  22. craft — a skill
  23. pass — a permit
  24. can — a tin

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