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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. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  2. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  3. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  4. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  5. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  6. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  7. We're almost out of ________________.
  8. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  9. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  10. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  11. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  12. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  13. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  14. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  15. You don't need to ________________ round.
  16. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  17. Michael Jackson and Prince changed the history of ________________ music.
  18. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  19. When will it ________________ you to start?
  20. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  21. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  22. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  23. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  24. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.

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

Answer key

  1. perch — for a bird
  2. root — the cause
  3. perch — for a bird
  4. board — a committee
  5. suit — in cards
  6. perch — the fish
  7. pop — soda
  8. jam — a tight spot
  9. bank — for money
  10. board — to get on
  11. jam — in traffic
  12. racket — a loud noise
  13. jam — to spread on bread
  14. board — a flat piece
  15. pop — to visit
  16. bank — for money
  17. pop — music
  18. root — of a plant
  19. suit — to fit
  20. suit — clothes
  21. racket — for tennis
  22. racket — for tennis
  23. bank — of a river
  24. root — of a word

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