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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: fan · deal · ball · lash · dip · plane · jam · safe

  1. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  2. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  3. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  4. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  5. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  6. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  7. The King held a masked ________________.
  8. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  9. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  10. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  11. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  12. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  13. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  14. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  15. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  16. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  17. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  18. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  19. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  20. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  21. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  22. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  23. The ________________ took off on time.
  24. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. ball — a round shape
  2. ball — a great time
  3. deal — to handle
  4. plane — in geometry
  5. plane — a tool
  6. safe — out of danger
  7. ball — a dance
  8. dip — to dunk
  9. safe — a strongbox
  10. dip — to sink
  11. deal — a big deal
  12. jam — a tight spot
  13. dip — a sauce
  14. lash — an eyelash
  15. fan — to cool the air
  16. lash — a whip stroke
  17. deal — an agreement
  18. jam — to spread on bread
  19. fan — a supporter
  20. lash — to lash out
  21. fan — a supporter
  22. safe — out of danger
  23. plane — an aircraft
  24. jam — in traffic

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