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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: ball · prune · racket · fine · tube · can · bass · toast

  1. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  2. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  3. The King held a masked ________________.
  4. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  5. I'll be taking the ________________.
  6. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  7. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  8. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  9. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  10. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  11. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  12. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  13. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  14. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  15. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  16. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  17. I cannot ________________ this tree. It's too high.
  18. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  19. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  20. A ________________ is just a dried plum.
  21. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  22. Do not ________________ roses in the fall.
  23. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  24. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.

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

Answer key

  1. racket — for tennis
  2. tube — in a tire
  3. ball — a dance
  4. tube — a container
  5. tube — the underground
  6. ball — a great time
  7. can — a tin
  8. ball — a round shape
  9. toast — a drink to someone
  10. bass — the fish
  11. toast — the most admired
  12. fine — all right
  13. racket — a loud noise
  14. fine — a penalty
  15. bass — the instrument
  16. can — a tin
  17. prune — to trim
  18. bass — low music
  19. can — to be able to
  20. prune — the fruit
  21. racket — for tennis
  22. prune — to trim
  23. fine — high quality
  24. toast — bread

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