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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 116 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: can · bowl · track · ball · charge · fan · firm · key

  1. This piece is in a major ________________.
  2. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  3. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  4. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  5. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  6. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  7. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  8. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  9. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  10. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  11. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  12. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  13. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  14. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  15. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  16. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  17. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  18. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  19. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  20. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  21. The King held a masked ________________.
  22. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  23. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  24. The tickets are free of ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. key — in music
  2. can — a tin
  3. bowl — a dish
  4. firm — a company
  5. can — to be able to
  6. key — the most important part
  7. bowl — to roll
  8. ball — a great time
  9. fan — a supporter
  10. track — to keep track
  11. key — for a lock
  12. track — a song
  13. charge — electricity
  14. ball — a round shape
  15. fan — to cool the air
  16. can — a tin
  17. fan — a supporter
  18. firm — decided
  19. bowl — a football final
  20. firm — steady
  21. ball — a dance
  22. charge — in control
  23. track — a path
  24. charge — a price

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