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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: chip · bound · can · craft · bay · ball · plane · cell

  1. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  2. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  3. The ________________ took off on time.
  4. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  5. Each ________________ is a complete and highly sophisticated living world in its own right.
  6. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  7. That was ________________ to happen.
  8. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  9. My mare is ________________ in color.
  10. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  11. He spent years learning his ________________ as a carpenter.
  12. Small ________________ should stay in the harbor during the storm.
  13. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  14. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  15. He was locked up in a ________________.
  16. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  17. Flower arranging is a traditional ________________ in Japan.
  18. Oh no! I wasn't paying attention and left my ________________ phone in the restaurant!
  19. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  20. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  21. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  22. The King held a masked ________________.
  23. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  24. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.

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

Answer key

  1. bay — a part of the sea
  2. bound — tied together
  3. plane — an aircraft
  4. can — a tin
  5. cell — in biology
  6. bound — obliged
  7. bound — certain
  8. ball — a round shape
  9. bay — a horse colour
  10. can — to be able to
  11. craft — a skill
  12. craft — boats
  13. chip — in a computer
  14. plane — in geometry
  15. cell — in a prison
  16. plane — a tool
  17. craft — a handicraft
  18. cell — a phone
  19. ball — a great time
  20. bay — to keep at bay
  21. chip — for betting
  22. ball — a dance
  23. can — a tin
  24. chip — to eat

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