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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
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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: roll · rash · ball · racket · squash · plane · bulb · safe

  1. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  2. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  3. Don't do anything ________________.
  4. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  5. We're on a ________________ here.
  6. I've got to change the light ________________.
  7. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  8. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  9. The light ________________ burned out.
  10. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.
  11. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  12. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  13. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  14. Cut the butternut ________________ into one-inch cubes.
  15. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  16. The ________________ took off on time.
  17. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  18. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  19. I'd like to play a game of ________________.
  20. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  21. The King held a masked ________________.
  22. The president vowed to ________________ the mutiny.
  23. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  24. The teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.

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

Answer key

  1. plane — a tool
  2. ball — a round shape
  3. rash — hasty
  4. safe — out of danger
  5. roll — on a roll
  6. bulb — for light
  7. racket — a loud noise
  8. rash — a series
  9. bulb — for light
  10. roll — a cake
  11. safe — a strongbox
  12. racket — for tennis
  13. racket — for tennis
  14. squash — the vegetable
  15. plane — in geometry
  16. plane — an aircraft
  17. bulb — of a plant
  18. safe — out of danger
  19. squash — the sport
  20. rash — on the skin
  21. ball — a dance
  22. squash — to crush
  23. ball — a great time
  24. roll — a list

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