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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: bass · bear · jam · net · racket · ball · firm · can

  1. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  2. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  3. He took the fish out of the ________________.
  4. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  5. The ball hit the back of the ________________.
  6. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  7. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  8. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  9. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  10. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  11. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  12. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  13. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  14. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  15. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  16. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  17. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  18. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  19. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  20. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  21. What was your ________________ profit last year?
  22. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  23. The King held a masked ________________.
  24. The kitten curled into a ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. bear — the animal
  2. jam — to spread on bread
  3. net — for catching
  4. can — to be able to
  5. net — in sport
  6. ball — a great time
  7. bear — to put up with
  8. bass — the instrument
  9. can — a tin
  10. bear — the animal
  11. can — a tin
  12. jam — a tight spot
  13. jam — in traffic
  14. firm — steady
  15. bass — low music
  16. bass — the fish
  17. racket — for tennis
  18. firm — decided
  19. racket — for tennis
  20. firm — a company
  21. net — after costs
  22. racket — a loud noise
  23. ball — a dance
  24. ball — a round shape

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