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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: plane · current · leaves · bowl · toast · spring · can · racket

  1. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  2. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  3. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  4. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  5. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  6. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  7. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  8. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  9. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  10. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  11. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  12. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  13. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  14. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  15. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  16. The hotel is built around a mineral ________________.
  17. The ________________ took off on time.
  18. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  19. There's a broken ________________ in the bed.
  20. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  21. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  22. The flowers bloom in the ________________.
  23. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  24. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.

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

Answer key

  1. racket — a loud noise
  2. plane — in geometry
  3. can — a tin
  4. current — of water
  5. racket — for tennis
  6. toast — bread
  7. current — happening now
  8. leaves — lets stay
  9. leaves — to go away
  10. current — electric
  11. leaves — of a tree
  12. bowl — a dish
  13. toast — the most admired
  14. bowl — a football final
  15. bowl — to roll
  16. spring — of water
  17. plane — an aircraft
  18. toast — a drink to someone
  19. spring — a coil
  20. can — to be able to
  21. racket — for tennis
  22. spring — the season
  23. plane — a tool
  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