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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. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  2. He is an ace ________________.
  3. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  4. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  5. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  6. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  7. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  8. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  9. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  10. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  11. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  12. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  13. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  14. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  15. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  16. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  17. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  18. The coach helped Matthew straighten out his golf ________________, improving his game.
  19. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  20. In jazz, ________________ was gradually being replaced by bebop.
  21. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  22. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  23. David sat on the ________________.
  24. He is as ________________ as a wolf.

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

Answer key

  1. perch — for a bird
  2. pitcher — in baseball
  3. ruler — for measuring
  4. lean — to bend
  5. leaves — of a tree
  6. perch — the fish
  7. perch — for a bird
  8. ruler — for measuring
  9. leaves — lets stay
  10. pitcher — a jug
  11. ruler — a monarch
  12. object — an aim
  13. pitcher — a jug
  14. leaves — to go away
  15. safe — a strongbox
  16. lean — to rest against
  17. safe — out of danger
  18. swing — in golf
  19. object — a thing
  20. swing — music
  21. safe — out of danger
  22. object — to protest
  23. swing — to play on
  24. lean — thin

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