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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. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  2. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  3. The teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.
  4. The ________________ was transferred to the cardiology ward.
  5. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  6. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.
  7. When will it ________________ you to start?
  8. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  9. The farmer was ________________ with the unruly horse.
  10. The nurse administered an injection to the ________________.
  11. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  12. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  13. We're on a ________________ here.
  14. What do you think of the new ________________?
  15. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  16. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  17. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  18. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  19. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  20. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  21. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  22. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  23. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  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. cabinet — ministers
  2. leaves — lets stay
  3. roll — a list
  4. patient — a sick person
  5. perch — for a bird
  6. roll — a cake
  7. suit — to fit
  8. rock — music
  9. patient — calm and waiting
  10. patient — a sick person
  11. perch — for a bird
  12. cue — for pool
  13. roll — on a roll
  14. cabinet — ministers
  15. leaves — to go away
  16. perch — the fish
  17. cue — a hint
  18. cabinet — a cupboard
  19. rock — a stone
  20. suit — in cards
  21. cue — a signal
  22. leaves — of a tree
  23. rock — to move gently
  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