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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: can · bear · spell · ball · jam · plane · net · trunk

  1. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  2. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  3. He took the fish out of the ________________.
  4. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  5. What was your ________________ profit last year?
  6. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  7. The tree's ________________ was scarred by lightning strikes.
  8. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  9. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  10. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  11. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  12. The elephant has a huge ________________.
  13. The ball hit the back of the ________________.
  14. How do you ________________ your surname?
  15. The King held a masked ________________.
  16. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  17. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  18. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  19. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  20. The ________________ took off on time.
  21. I've got the luggage in my ________________.
  22. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  23. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  24. Would you like some apricot ________________?

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

Answer key

  1. bear — to put up with
  2. spell — magic
  3. net — for catching
  4. bear — the animal
  5. net — after costs
  6. bear — the animal
  7. trunk — of a tree
  8. ball — a great time
  9. plane — in geometry
  10. can — a tin
  11. jam — in traffic
  12. trunk — of an elephant
  13. net — in sport
  14. spell — letters
  15. ball — a dance
  16. jam — a tight spot
  17. spell — a short time
  18. plane — a tool
  19. can — a tin
  20. plane — an aircraft
  21. trunk — of a car
  22. ball — a round shape
  23. can — to be able to
  24. jam — to spread on bread

Multiple-meaning words list

Tick up to 10 words to build a worksheet with just those words.

Make a worksheet (0 words)

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