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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. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  2. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  3. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  4. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  5. Can you put the ________________ back on the pen?
  6. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  7. When will it ________________ you to start?
  8. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  9. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  10. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  11. The ________________ went through the wall.
  12. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  13. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  14. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  15. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  16. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  17. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  18. The polar ice ________________ is melting.
  19. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  20. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  21. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  22. It's best to wear a ________________ on your head during the cold Moscow winters.
  23. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  24. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.

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

Answer key

  1. racket — for tennis
  2. suit — in cards
  3. object — an aim
  4. safe — a strongbox
  5. cap — a lid
  6. perch — for a bird
  7. suit — to fit
  8. lie — an untruth
  9. nail — for a hammer
  10. perch — the fish
  11. nail — for a hammer
  12. safe — out of danger
  13. object — a thing
  14. lie — to recline
  15. object — to protest
  16. nail — on a finger
  17. racket — a loud noise
  18. cap — of ice
  19. lie — an untruth
  20. perch — for a bird
  21. safe — out of danger
  22. cap — a hat
  23. racket — for tennis
  24. suit — clothes

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