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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: jam · can · present · saw · coach · bulb · chair · racket

  1. I put the bag on or beside the ________________.
  2. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  3. He works in a ________________ mill.
  4. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  5. Have you met the new head ________________?
  6. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  7. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  8. My partner was ________________ at the birth of our baby.
  9. James Baker serves as an Honorary Co-________________ for the World Justice Project.
  10. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  11. Actually, the ________________ method has plenty of room for improvement.
  12. Did you get a birthday ________________ for him this year?
  13. Professor Sir Peter Hirsch formerly held the ________________.
  14. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  15. I've got to change the light ________________.
  16. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  17. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  18. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  19. She's very handy with a ________________.
  20. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  21. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  22. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  23. The light ________________ burned out.
  24. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. chair — to sit on
  2. can — a tin
  3. saw — the tool
  4. jam — to spread on bread
  5. coach — a trainer
  6. bulb — of a plant
  7. racket — for tennis
  8. present — there
  9. chair — a leader
  10. saw — past of 'see'
  11. present — the time now
  12. present — a gift
  13. chair — a professorship
  14. can — to be able to
  15. bulb — for light
  16. coach — a trainer
  17. jam — a tight spot
  18. racket — for tennis
  19. saw — the tool
  20. can — a tin
  21. coach — pulled by horses
  22. jam — in traffic
  23. bulb — for light
  24. racket — a loud noise

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