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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
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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: perch · mouse · last · roll · ruler · bowl · key · mark

  1. We're on a ________________ here.
  2. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  3. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  4. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  5. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  6. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  7. Today is the ________________ day of the holidays. Back to school tomorrow!
  8. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  9. The teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.
  10. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  11. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  12. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  13. At ________________, we arrived at the village.
  14. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  15. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  16. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  17. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  18. False peace will not ________________.
  19. This piece is in a major ________________.
  20. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  21. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.
  22. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  23. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  24. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.

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

Answer key

  1. roll — on a roll
  2. mouse — for a computer
  3. mark — a trace
  4. key — the most important part
  5. ruler — for measuring
  6. bowl — a football final
  7. last — final
  8. perch — for a bird
  9. roll — a list
  10. mouse — the animal
  11. key — for a lock
  12. ruler — a monarch
  13. last — finally
  14. mark — a grade
  15. mark — to pay attention
  16. perch — the fish
  17. mouse — the animal
  18. last — to go on
  19. key — in music
  20. bowl — a dish
  21. roll — a cake
  22. perch — for a bird
  23. bowl — to roll
  24. ruler — for measuring

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