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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.

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: rush · deal · squash · wave · fine · perch · calf · branch

  1. The president vowed to ________________ the mutiny.
  2. Cut the butternut ________________ into one-inch cubes.
  3. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  4. I'd like to play a game of ________________.
  5. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  6. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  7. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  8. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  9. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  10. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  11. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  12. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  13. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  14. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  15. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  16. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  17. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  18. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  19. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  20. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  21. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  22. That must've been a ________________.
  23. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  24. I assure you, everything's ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. squash — to crush
  2. squash — the vegetable
  3. perch — for a bird
  4. squash — the sport
  5. branch — of a tree
  6. perch — the fish
  7. wave — of the sea
  8. fine — high quality
  9. wave — with your hand
  10. branch — a division
  11. deal — an agreement
  12. rush — hurry
  13. rush — to hurry
  14. fine — a penalty
  15. branch — of a bank
  16. perch — for a bird
  17. deal — to handle
  18. deal — a big deal
  19. wave — a sudden rise
  20. calf — of the leg
  21. calf — a young animal
  22. rush — a thrill
  23. calf — a young animal
  24. fine — all right

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