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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.

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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. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  2. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  3. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  4. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  5. My father caught me by the ________________.
  6. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  7. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  8. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  9. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  10. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  11. Where did you ________________ them?
  12. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  13. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  14. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  15. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  16. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  17. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  18. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  19. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  20. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  21. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  22. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  23. When will it ________________ you to start?
  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. mouse — the animal
  2. perch — the fish
  3. bowl — a football final
  4. deal — a big deal
  5. arm — part of the body
  6. deal — to handle
  7. perch — for a bird
  8. arm — a part of something
  9. mouse — the animal
  10. safe — out of danger
  11. mug — to rob
  12. safe — a strongbox
  13. mouse — for a computer
  14. deal — an agreement
  15. safe — out of danger
  16. mug — a cup
  17. perch — for a bird
  18. mug — a face
  19. suit — in cards
  20. bowl — to roll
  21. suit — clothes
  22. arm — part of the body
  23. suit — to fit
  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