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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. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  2. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  3. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  4. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  5. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  6. Have you met the new head ________________?
  7. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  8. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  9. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  10. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  11. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  12. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  13. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  14. David sat on the ________________.
  15. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  16. The coach helped Matthew straighten out his golf ________________, improving his game.
  17. In jazz, ________________ was gradually being replaced by bebop.
  18. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  19. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  20. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  21. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  22. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  23. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  24. The train ________________ at six o'clock.

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

Answer key

  1. can — a tin
  2. ruler — for measuring
  3. leaves — of a tree
  4. mark — to pay attention
  5. coach — pulled by horses
  6. coach — a trainer
  7. ruler — a monarch
  8. perch — the fish
  9. can — a tin
  10. can — to be able to
  11. ruler — for measuring
  12. cue — a signal
  13. perch — for a bird
  14. swing — to play on
  15. coach — a trainer
  16. swing — in golf
  17. swing — music
  18. leaves — lets stay
  19. perch — for a bird
  20. cue — for pool
  21. mark — a grade
  22. mark — a trace
  23. cue — a hint
  24. leaves — to go away

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