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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: press · perch · spell · plane · snap · rock · mark · can

  1. How do you ________________ your surname?
  2. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  3. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  4. When I ________________ my fingers, you'll wake up.
  5. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  6. The ________________ took off on time.
  7. ________________ out of it! You haven't done a thing all week.
  8. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  9. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  10. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  11. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  12. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  13. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  14. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  15. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  16. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  17. Did you ________________ the button?
  18. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  19. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  20. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  21. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  22. You don't have to ________________ at me like that.
  23. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  24. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. spell — letters
  2. press — newspapers
  3. rock — a stone
  4. snap — to click
  5. can — a tin
  6. plane — an aircraft
  7. snap — to snap out of it
  8. perch — for a bird
  9. plane — a tool
  10. rock — music
  11. mark — to pay attention
  12. can — a tin
  13. mark — a grade
  14. spell — a short time
  15. can — to be able to
  16. rock — to move gently
  17. press — to push
  18. mark — a trace
  19. press — a publisher
  20. plane — in geometry
  21. perch — the fish
  22. snap — to speak sharply
  23. perch — for a bird
  24. spell — magic

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