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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.

Make a worksheet

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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Word bank
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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. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  2. Where did you ________________ them?
  3. What was your ________________ profit last year?
  4. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  5. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  6. He took the fish out of the ________________.
  7. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  8. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  9. The ball hit the back of the ________________.
  10. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  11. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  12. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  13. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  14. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  15. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  16. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  17. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  18. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  19. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  20. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  21. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  22. When was this ________________ built?
  23. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  24. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?

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

Answer key

  1. fan — to cool the air
  2. mug — to rob
  3. net — after costs
  4. cue — for pool
  5. racket — for tennis
  6. net — for catching
  7. cue — a signal
  8. mug — a face
  9. net — in sport
  10. perch — for a bird
  11. perch — for a bird
  12. can — a tin
  13. can — a tin
  14. temple — side of the head
  15. mug — a cup
  16. racket — for tennis
  17. fan — a supporter
  18. perch — the fish
  19. racket — a loud noise
  20. can — to be able to
  21. cue — a hint
  22. temple — a place of worship
  23. temple — a place of worship
  24. fan — a supporter

Multiple-meaning words list

Tick up to 10 words to build a worksheet with just those words.

Make a worksheet (0 words)

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