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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 116 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: mark · mouse · ball · stem · court · safe · charge · bass

  1. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  2. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  3. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  4. Scientists study ________________ cells to repair damaged tissue.
  5. When a clown is made king, the ________________ becomes a circus.
  6. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  7. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  8. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  9. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  10. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  11. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  12. Many English words ________________ from Latin.
  13. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  14. The big green plant was starting to droop at the ________________.
  15. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  16. The ball is in your ________________.
  17. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  18. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  19. The King held a masked ________________.
  20. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  21. The tickets are free of ________________.
  22. The ________________ found him guilty of stealing money.
  23. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  24. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. ball — a round shape
  2. ball — a great time
  3. safe — out of danger
  4. stem — a stem cell
  5. court — of a king
  6. mark — to pay attention
  7. safe — a strongbox
  8. mouse — the animal
  9. bass — the fish
  10. mark — a trace
  11. bass — the instrument
  12. stem — to come from
  13. safe — out of danger
  14. stem — of a plant
  15. mouse — for a computer
  16. court — for sport
  17. charge — in control
  18. mark — a grade
  19. ball — a dance
  20. charge — electricity
  21. charge — a price
  22. court — of law
  23. bass — low music
  24. mouse — the animal

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