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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
468
Word bank
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Multiple-Meaning Words

Name: ____________________Date: __________

Write the missing word in each sentence. Each word is used more than once, with a different meaning each time.

  1. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  2. The soldiers did ________________ on the parade ground every morning.
  3. The light ________________ burned out.
  4. James Baker serves as an Honorary Co-________________ for the World Justice Project.
  5. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  6. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  7. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  8. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  9. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  10. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  11. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  12. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  13. I need a ________________ to install the towel rack.
  14. I put the bag on or beside the ________________.
  15. Did you ________________ the meat?
  16. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  17. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  18. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  19. The ________________ went through the wall.
  20. I've got to change the light ________________.
  21. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  22. Professor Sir Peter Hirsch formerly held the ________________.
  23. We had a fire ________________ at school today.
  24. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.

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

Answer key

  1. mouse — for a computer
  2. drill — army training
  3. bulb — for light
  4. chair — a leader
  5. bulb — of a plant
  6. safe — out of danger
  7. perch — for a bird
  8. season — in sport
  9. safe — a strongbox
  10. mouse — the animal
  11. season — of the year
  12. nail — on a finger
  13. drill — the tool
  14. chair — to sit on
  15. season — to add flavour
  16. safe — out of danger
  17. perch — the fish
  18. mouse — the animal
  19. nail — for a hammer
  20. bulb — for light
  21. perch — for a bird
  22. chair — a professorship
  23. drill — a practice
  24. nail — for a hammer

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