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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.

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
468
Word bank
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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. Where did you ________________ them?
  2. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  3. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  4. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  5. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  6. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  7. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  8. It's one o'clock ________________.
  9. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  10. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  11. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  12. When was this ________________ built?
  13. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  14. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  15. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  16. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  17. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  18. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  19. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  20. He's quite ________________, isn't he?
  21. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  22. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  23. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  24. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?

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

Answer key

  1. mug — to rob
  2. dip — a sauce
  3. rock — to move gently
  4. perch — for a bird
  5. sharp — with an edge
  6. perch — the fish
  7. dip — to dunk
  8. sharp — exactly
  9. pass — to spend time
  10. dip — to sink
  11. pass — to succeed
  12. temple — a place of worship
  13. pass — a permit
  14. fan — to cool the air
  15. mug — a cup
  16. temple — a place of worship
  17. fan — a supporter
  18. perch — for a bird
  19. rock — a stone
  20. sharp — clever
  21. temple — side of the head
  22. fan — a supporter
  23. mug — a face
  24. rock — 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