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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.

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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: mouse · can · deal · perch · suit · pass · jam · sharp

  1. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  2. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  3. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  4. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  5. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  6. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  7. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  8. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  9. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  10. When will it ________________ you to start?
  11. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  12. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  13. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  14. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  15. It's one o'clock ________________.
  16. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  17. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  18. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  19. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  20. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  21. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  22. He's quite ________________, isn't he?
  23. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  24. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.

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

Answer key

  1. jam — in traffic
  2. suit — in cards
  3. pass — a permit
  4. deal — a big deal
  5. deal — an agreement
  6. perch — for a bird
  7. can — a tin
  8. mouse — for a computer
  9. can — to be able to
  10. suit — to fit
  11. sharp — with an edge
  12. jam — to spread on bread
  13. suit — clothes
  14. jam — a tight spot
  15. sharp — exactly
  16. pass — to spend time
  17. mouse — the animal
  18. perch — for a bird
  19. mouse — the animal
  20. deal — to handle
  21. perch — the fish
  22. sharp — clever
  23. can — a tin
  24. pass — to succeed

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