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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 120 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.

Make a worksheet

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: bowl · perch · lie · mouse · suit · can · deal · spell

  1. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  2. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  3. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  4. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  5. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  6. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  7. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  8. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  9. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  10. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  11. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  12. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  13. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  14. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  15. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  16. How do you ________________ your surname?
  17. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  18. When will it ________________ you to start?
  19. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  20. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  21. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  22. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  23. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  24. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.

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

Answer key

  1. perch — the fish
  2. spell — magic
  3. deal — to handle
  4. mouse — for a computer
  5. perch — for a bird
  6. bowl — a football final
  7. can — to be able to
  8. deal — a big deal
  9. lie — an untruth
  10. lie — an untruth
  11. perch — for a bird
  12. bowl — to roll
  13. mouse — the animal
  14. can — a tin
  15. spell — a short time
  16. spell — letters
  17. bowl — a dish
  18. suit — to fit
  19. mouse — the animal
  20. can — a tin
  21. suit — clothes
  22. deal — an agreement
  23. suit — in cards
  24. lie — to recline

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