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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 120 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. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  2. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  3. Scientists study ________________ cells to repair damaged tissue.
  4. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  5. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  6. When will it ________________ you to start?
  7. Many English words ________________ from Latin.
  8. When was this ________________ built?
  9. That must've been a ________________.
  10. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  11. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  12. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  13. What was your ________________ profit last year?
  14. My mare is ________________ in color.
  15. Will civil ________________ and democracy continue in Algeria?
  16. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  17. Remember our ________________: no talking to strangers, no matter what.
  18. He took the fish out of the ________________.
  19. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  20. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  21. The big green plant was starting to droop at the ________________.
  22. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  23. The ball hit the back of the ________________.
  24. The chairman did not ________________ out the possibility of a disagreement.

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

Answer key

  1. perch — the fish
  2. bay — to keep at bay
  3. stem — a stem cell
  4. suit — clothes
  5. perch — for a bird
  6. suit — to fit
  7. stem — to come from
  8. temple — a place of worship
  9. rush — a thrill
  10. perch — for a bird
  11. bay — a part of the sea
  12. temple — side of the head
  13. net — after costs
  14. bay — a horse colour
  15. rule — government
  16. rush — hurry
  17. rule — a law
  18. net — for catching
  19. temple — a place of worship
  20. rush — to hurry
  21. stem — of a plant
  22. suit — in cards
  23. net — in sport
  24. rule — to rule out

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