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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 120 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 kitten curled into a ________________.
  2. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  3. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  4. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  5. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  6. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  7. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  8. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  9. What do you think of the new ________________?
  10. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  11. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  12. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  13. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  14. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  15. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  16. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  17. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  18. The tickets are free of ________________.
  19. The King held a masked ________________.
  20. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  21. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  22. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  23. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  24. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. ball — a round shape
  2. object — an aim
  3. stick — a piece of wood
  4. cabinet — a cupboard
  5. hide — to keep secret
  6. rock — a stone
  7. perch — for a bird
  8. perch — the fish
  9. cabinet — ministers
  10. object — a thing
  11. hide — animal skin
  12. ball — a great time
  13. hide — to keep secret
  14. cabinet — ministers
  15. rock — music
  16. rock — to move gently
  17. charge — electricity
  18. charge — a price
  19. ball — a dance
  20. charge — in control
  21. stick — a piece of wood
  22. object — to protest
  23. stick — to attach or keep to
  24. perch — for a bird

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