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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. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  2. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  3. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  4. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  5. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  6. The players ran onto the football ________________.
  7. Where did you ________________ them?
  8. The supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.
  9. The room was ________________ black, so I couldn't see a thing.
  10. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  11. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  12. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  13. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  14. What's the difference between broth and ________________?
  15. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  16. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  17. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  18. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  19. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  20. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  21. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  22. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  23. She's preparing to ________________ her idea to the investors.
  24. The ________________ market has crashed.

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

Answer key

  1. perch — for a bird
  2. current — happening now
  3. current — of water
  4. current — electric
  5. safe — a strongbox
  6. pitch — a sports field
  7. mug — to rob
  8. stock — goods
  9. pitch — completely
  10. hide — to keep secret
  11. calf — a young animal
  12. perch — for a bird
  13. hide — animal skin
  14. stock — a soup base
  15. perch — the fish
  16. mug — a face
  17. safe — out of danger
  18. calf — of the leg
  19. mug — a cup
  20. hide — to keep secret
  21. calf — a young animal
  22. safe — out of danger
  23. pitch — a sales talk
  24. stock — shares

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