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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. My father caught me by the ________________.
  2. I've got to change the light ________________.
  3. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  4. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  5. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  6. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  7. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  8. The light ________________ burned out.
  9. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  10. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  11. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  12. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  13. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  14. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  15. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  16. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  17. When will it ________________ you to start?
  18. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  19. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  20. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  21. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  22. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  23. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  24. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.

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

Answer key

  1. arm — part of the body
  2. bulb — for light
  3. arm — a part of something
  4. perch — for a bird
  5. leaves — of a tree
  6. suit — in cards
  7. bowl — to roll
  8. bulb — for light
  9. perch — the fish
  10. perch — for a bird
  11. mouse — the animal
  12. mouse — the animal
  13. bowl — a dish
  14. bowl — a football final
  15. leaves — to go away
  16. can — a tin
  17. suit — to fit
  18. can — a tin
  19. suit — clothes
  20. bulb — of a plant
  21. mouse — for a computer
  22. can — to be able to
  23. arm — part of the body
  24. leaves — lets stay

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