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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.

Words on the sheet
468
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: spell · bass · leaves · perch · wake · jam · fork · suit

  1. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  2. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  3. The speedboat left a long ________________ behind it.
  4. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  5. We usually eat with a knife, ________________ and spoon.
  6. We came to a ________________ in the road and had no idea which direction to go.
  7. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  8. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  9. Use a garden ________________ to turn the soil.
  10. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  11. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  12. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  13. I didn't ________________ up well this morning.
  14. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  15. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  16. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  17. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  18. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  19. Friends gathered at the ________________ to remember him.
  20. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  21. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  22. How do you ________________ your surname?
  23. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  24. When will it ________________ you to start?

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

Answer key

  1. perch — the fish
  2. suit — clothes
  3. wake — a trail
  4. bass — the fish
  5. fork — to eat with
  6. fork — in a road
  7. perch — for a bird
  8. perch — for a bird
  9. fork — a garden tool
  10. jam — in traffic
  11. spell — magic
  12. leaves — lets stay
  13. wake — to stop sleeping
  14. leaves — of a tree
  15. jam — a tight spot
  16. bass — low music
  17. leaves — to go away
  18. jam — to spread on bread
  19. wake — before a funeral
  20. suit — in cards
  21. spell — a short time
  22. spell — letters
  23. bass — the instrument
  24. suit — to fit

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