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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: board · coach · perch · bear · pass · mouse · can · ruler

  1. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  2. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  3. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  4. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  5. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  6. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  7. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  8. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  9. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  10. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  11. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  12. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  13. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  14. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  15. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  16. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  17. Have you met the new head ________________?
  18. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  19. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  20. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  21. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  22. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  23. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  24. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. can — to be able to
  2. mouse — the animal
  3. board — a committee
  4. ruler — for measuring
  5. ruler — for measuring
  6. coach — pulled by horses
  7. coach — a trainer
  8. bear — to put up with
  9. pass — to spend time
  10. board — a flat piece
  11. ruler — a monarch
  12. pass — to succeed
  13. bear — the animal
  14. perch — the fish
  15. can — a tin
  16. perch — for a bird
  17. coach — a trainer
  18. bear — the animal
  19. mouse — for a computer
  20. board — to get on
  21. pass — a permit
  22. can — a tin
  23. mouse — the animal
  24. perch — for a bird

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