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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 owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  2. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  3. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  4. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  5. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  6. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  7. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  8. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  9. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  10. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  11. He hasn't even shaken my ________________.
  12. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  13. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  14. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  15. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  16. Did you ________________ the button?
  17. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  18. Do you need a ________________ with that?
  19. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  20. When will it ________________ you to start?
  21. I got dealt a bad ________________.
  22. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  23. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  24. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.

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

Answer key

  1. perch — for a bird
  2. ruler — a monarch
  3. staff — a stick
  4. leaves — of a tree
  5. perch — for a bird
  6. ruler — for measuring
  7. leaves — lets stay
  8. leaves — to go away
  9. can — a tin
  10. can — to be able to
  11. hand — part of the body
  12. ruler — for measuring
  13. press — a publisher
  14. perch — the fish
  15. staff — employees
  16. press — to push
  17. suit — clothes
  18. hand — help
  19. can — a tin
  20. suit — to fit
  21. hand — in cards
  22. press — newspapers
  23. suit — in cards
  24. staff — employees

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