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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 · mouse · kick · mate · bass · roll · bowl · lean

  1. We're on a ________________ here.
  2. Have you found your soul ________________?
  3. I get a ________________ out of her cheerful personality.
  4. The teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.
  5. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  6. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  7. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  8. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  9. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  10. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  11. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  12. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.
  13. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  14. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  15. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  16. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  17. They were given a penalty ________________ just minutes from the end.
  18. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  19. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  20. One ________________ from a giraffe's hind leg is enough to kill a lion.
  21. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  22. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  23. He is as ________________ as a wolf.
  24. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. roll — on a roll
  2. mate — a partner
  3. kick — a thrill
  4. roll — a list
  5. bass — the instrument
  6. bowl — to roll
  7. bass — the fish
  8. lean — to bend
  9. mouse — for a computer
  10. lean — to rest against
  11. mouse — the animal
  12. roll — a cake
  13. bass — low music
  14. mate — a friend
  15. bowl — a football final
  16. mate — to breed
  17. kick — in football
  18. mouse — the animal
  19. fan — to cool the air
  20. kick — with a leg
  21. fan — a supporter
  22. fan — a supporter
  23. lean — thin
  24. bowl — a dish

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