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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. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  2. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  3. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  4. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  5. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  6. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  7. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  8. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  9. When will it ________________ you to start?
  10. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  11. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  12. There's no middle ________________.
  13. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  14. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  15. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  16. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  17. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  18. The ________________ was covered with snow, as far as the eye could see.
  19. My father caught me by the ________________.
  20. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  21. The King held a masked ________________.
  22. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  23. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  24. Add some ________________ pepper to it.

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

Answer key

  1. perch — for a bird
  2. mouse — the animal
  3. ball — a round shape
  4. mouse — for a computer
  5. pass — a permit
  6. perch — the fish
  7. suit — clothes
  8. ball — a great time
  9. suit — to fit
  10. arm — part of the body
  11. safe — out of danger
  12. ground — a position
  13. suit — in cards
  14. pass — to succeed
  15. pass — to spend time
  16. arm — a part of something
  17. safe — out of danger
  18. ground — the earth
  19. arm — part of the body
  20. perch — for a bird
  21. ball — a dance
  22. mouse — the animal
  23. safe — a strongbox
  24. ground — crushed

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