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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. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  2. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  3. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  4. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  5. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  6. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  7. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  8. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  9. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  10. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  11. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  12. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  13. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  14. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  15. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  16. That was ________________ to happen.
  17. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  18. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  19. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  20. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  21. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  22. Where did you ________________ them?
  23. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  24. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.

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

Answer key

  1. stick — a piece of wood
  2. perch — for a bird
  3. current — happening now
  4. mug — a face
  5. can — a tin
  6. bound — tied together
  7. rock — a stone
  8. rock — to move gently
  9. cue — a signal
  10. stick — a piece of wood
  11. rock — music
  12. perch — the fish
  13. cue — for pool
  14. current — electric
  15. mug — a cup
  16. bound — certain
  17. can — to be able to
  18. perch — for a bird
  19. bound — obliged
  20. cue — a hint
  21. current — of water
  22. mug — to rob
  23. can — a tin
  24. stick — to attach or keep to

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