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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. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  2. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  3. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  4. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  5. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  6. The King held a masked ________________.
  7. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  8. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  9. It's one o'clock ________________.
  10. He's quite ________________, isn't he?
  11. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  12. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  13. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  14. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  15. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  16. When was this ________________ built?
  17. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  18. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  19. Have you met the new head ________________?
  20. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  21. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  22. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  23. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  24. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. rock — a stone
  2. coach — a trainer
  3. can — a tin
  4. rock — music
  5. can — a tin
  6. ball — a dance
  7. perch — the fish
  8. ball — a round shape
  9. sharp — exactly
  10. sharp — clever
  11. can — to be able to
  12. jam — to spread on bread
  13. rock — to move gently
  14. perch — for a bird
  15. ball — a great time
  16. temple — a place of worship
  17. sharp — with an edge
  18. jam — a tight spot
  19. coach — a trainer
  20. coach — pulled by horses
  21. temple — a place of worship
  22. temple — side of the head
  23. perch — for a bird
  24. jam — in traffic

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