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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.

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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. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  2. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  3. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  4. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  5. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  6. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  7. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  8. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  9. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  10. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  11. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  12. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  13. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  14. When will it ________________ you to start?
  15. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  16. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  17. That was ________________ to happen.
  18. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  19. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  20. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  21. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  22. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  23. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  24. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.

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

Answer key

  1. perch — for a bird
  2. bound — tied together
  3. bound — obliged
  4. lash — to lash out
  5. perch — the fish
  6. perch — for a bird
  7. ruler — a monarch
  8. lash — a whip stroke
  9. hide — to keep secret
  10. deal — a big deal
  11. track — a path
  12. suit — in cards
  13. suit — clothes
  14. suit — to fit
  15. hide — animal skin
  16. track — a song
  17. bound — certain
  18. ruler — for measuring
  19. deal — to handle
  20. ruler — for measuring
  21. track — to keep track
  22. lash — an eyelash
  23. hide — to keep secret
  24. deal — an agreement

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