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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: bark · key · wake · perch · calf · mug · fan · foot

  1. The sergeant loved to ________________ orders at us.
  2. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  3. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  4. Friends gathered at the ________________ to remember him.
  5. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  6. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  7. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  8. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  9. Birch trees have smooth white ________________.
  10. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  11. The speedboat left a long ________________ behind it.
  12. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  13. I didn't ________________ up well this morning.
  14. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  15. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  16. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  17. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  18. This piece is in a major ________________.
  19. Where did you ________________ them?
  20. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  21. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  22. Our dog starts to ________________ whenever the doorbell rings.
  23. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  24. Can you turn the ________________ on?

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

Answer key

  1. bark — to shout
  2. foot — part of the body
  3. perch — for a bird
  4. wake — before a funeral
  5. calf — a young animal
  6. mug — a face
  7. calf — of the leg
  8. perch — the fish
  9. bark — of a tree
  10. foot — the bottom
  11. wake — a trail
  12. mug — a cup
  13. wake — to stop sleeping
  14. foot — a measure
  15. perch — for a bird
  16. fan — a supporter
  17. fan — a supporter
  18. key — in music
  19. mug — to rob
  20. key — the most important part
  21. key — for a lock
  22. bark — a dog's sound
  23. calf — a young animal
  24. fan — to cool the air

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