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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: hide · suit · perch · board · craft · ball · fan · bear

  1. He spent years learning his ________________ as a carpenter.
  2. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  3. The King held a masked ________________.
  4. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  5. Small ________________ should stay in the harbor during the storm.
  6. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  7. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  8. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  9. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  10. When will it ________________ you to start?
  11. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  12. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  13. Flower arranging is a traditional ________________ in Japan.
  14. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  15. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  16. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  17. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  18. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  19. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  20. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  21. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  22. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  23. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  24. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!

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

Answer key

  1. craft — a skill
  2. fan — to cool the air
  3. ball — a dance
  4. perch — for a bird
  5. craft — boats
  6. suit — clothes
  7. hide — to keep secret
  8. board — a committee
  9. ball — a great time
  10. suit — to fit
  11. bear — the animal
  12. ball — a round shape
  13. craft — a handicraft
  14. perch — the fish
  15. hide — animal skin
  16. suit — in cards
  17. hide — to keep secret
  18. fan — a supporter
  19. perch — for a bird
  20. board — a flat piece
  21. fan — a supporter
  22. board — to get on
  23. bear — the animal
  24. bear — to put up with

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