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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.

Make a worksheet

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: fan · leaves · bowl · rest · can · present · mouse · mine

  1. He was blown up by a land ________________.
  2. I would like to have a ________________ here.
  3. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  4. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  5. The ________________ of the members were all out of tune.
  6. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  7. My partner was ________________ at the birth of our baby.
  8. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  9. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  10. Actually, the ________________ method has plenty of room for improvement.
  11. She's sitting on a gold ________________.
  12. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  13. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  14. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  15. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  16. Because of the accident, he'll have a limp for the ________________ of his life.
  17. Did you get a birthday ________________ for him this year?
  18. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  19. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  20. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  21. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  22. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  23. I met an old friend of ________________ the other day.
  24. Recycle the empty soda ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. mine — an explosive
  2. rest — a break
  3. can — a tin
  4. leaves — of a tree
  5. rest — what's left
  6. bowl — a dish
  7. present — there
  8. bowl — a football final
  9. fan — to cool the air
  10. present — the time now
  11. mine — for digging
  12. can — to be able to
  13. mouse — the animal
  14. leaves — to go away
  15. mouse — the animal
  16. rest — what's left
  17. present — a gift
  18. leaves — lets stay
  19. mouse — for a computer
  20. bowl — to roll
  21. fan — a supporter
  22. fan — a supporter
  23. mine — belonging to me
  24. can — a tin

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