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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: dip · rush · racket · can · plane · jam · rock · mine

  1. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  2. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  3. He was blown up by a land ________________.
  4. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  5. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  6. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  7. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  8. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  9. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  10. That must've been a ________________.
  11. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  12. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  13. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  14. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  15. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  16. The ________________ took off on time.
  17. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  18. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  19. I met an old friend of ________________ the other day.
  20. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  21. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  22. She's sitting on a gold ________________.
  23. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  24. I don't want to ________________ the boat.

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

Answer key

  1. rock — a stone
  2. dip — to sink
  3. mine — an explosive
  4. plane — in geometry
  5. racket — a loud noise
  6. jam — to spread on bread
  7. racket — for tennis
  8. dip — to dunk
  9. jam — in traffic
  10. rush — a thrill
  11. can — a tin
  12. rush — to hurry
  13. can — a tin
  14. jam — a tight spot
  15. plane — a tool
  16. plane — an aircraft
  17. dip — a sauce
  18. rock — music
  19. mine — belonging to me
  20. can — to be able to
  21. racket — for tennis
  22. mine — for digging
  23. rush — hurry
  24. rock — to move gently

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