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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.

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: mouse · stick · field · spell · rock · ball · leaves · bass

  1. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  2. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  3. She's an expert in the ________________ of medicine.
  4. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  5. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  6. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  7. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  8. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  9. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  10. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  11. How do you ________________ your surname?
  12. The stadium has a track around the football ________________.
  13. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  14. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  15. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  16. Vegetables are growing on this ________________.
  17. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  18. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  19. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  20. The King held a masked ________________.
  21. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  22. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  23. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  24. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. ball — a round shape
  2. stick — to attach or keep to
  3. field — a subject
  4. rock — a stone
  5. mouse — for a computer
  6. bass — the fish
  7. mouse — the animal
  8. leaves — to go away
  9. spell — magic
  10. leaves — lets stay
  11. spell — letters
  12. field — for sport
  13. stick — a piece of wood
  14. bass — the instrument
  15. bass — low music
  16. field — farmland
  17. ball — a great time
  18. stick — a piece of wood
  19. rock — to move gently
  20. ball — a dance
  21. leaves — of a tree
  22. spell — a short time
  23. rock — music
  24. mouse — the animal

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