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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 116 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.

Words on the sheet
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Word bank
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Multiple-Meaning Words

Name: ____________________Date: __________

Write the missing word from the word bank in each sentence. Each word is used more than once, with a different meaning each time.

Word bank: squash · mark · perch · coach · can · ruler

  1. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  2. Cut the butternut ________________ into one-inch cubes.
  3. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  4. The president vowed to ________________ the mutiny.
  5. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  6. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  7. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  8. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  9. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  10. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  11. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  12. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  13. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  14. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  15. Have you met the new head ________________?
  16. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  17. I'd like to play a game of ________________.
  18. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — for measuring
  2. squash — the vegetable
  3. perch — for a bird
  4. squash — to crush
  5. coach — a trainer
  6. mark — to pay attention
  7. coach — pulled by horses
  8. can — a tin
  9. perch — for a bird
  10. can — a tin
  11. ruler — for measuring
  12. can — to be able to
  13. mark — a trace
  14. mark — a grade
  15. coach — a trainer
  16. ruler — a monarch
  17. squash — the sport
  18. perch — the fish

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