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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.

Make a worksheet

Students read each sentence and write the missing word. Every word appears in several sentences, each time with a different meaning.

Words on the sheet
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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. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  2. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  3. Our bedroom windows ________________ the sea.
  4. The light ________________ burned out.
  5. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  6. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  7. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  8. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  9. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  10. She had a strange look on her ________________.
  11. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  12. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  13. Sooner or later you'll have to ________________ the truth.
  14. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  15. I've got to change the light ________________.
  16. The ________________ went through the wall.
  17. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  18. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  19. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  20. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  21. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  22. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  23. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  24. This piece is in a major ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. can — a tin
  2. hide — animal skin
  3. face — to point toward
  4. bulb — for light
  5. bear — the animal
  6. key — for a lock
  7. hide — to keep secret
  8. nail — for a hammer
  9. perch — the fish
  10. face — part of the head
  11. key — the most important part
  12. hide — to keep secret
  13. face — to confront
  14. can — a tin
  15. bulb — for light
  16. nail — for a hammer
  17. bulb — of a plant
  18. perch — for a bird
  19. bear — to put up with
  20. nail — on a finger
  21. perch — for a bird
  22. can — to be able to
  23. bear — the animal
  24. key — in music

Multiple-meaning words list

Tick up to 10 words to build a worksheet with just those words.

Make a worksheet (0 words)

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