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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
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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: roll · safe · saw · patient · pitch · perch · leaves · wax

  1. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  2. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  3. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.
  4. The nurse administered an injection to the ________________.
  5. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  6. The room was ________________ black, so I couldn't see a thing.
  7. She's very handy with a ________________.
  8. The players ran onto the football ________________.
  9. The ________________ was transferred to the cardiology ward.
  10. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  11. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  12. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  13. We're on a ________________ here.
  14. The teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.
  15. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  16. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  17. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  18. He works in a ________________ mill.
  19. The farmer was ________________ with the unruly horse.
  20. She's preparing to ________________ her idea to the investors.
  21. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  22. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  23. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  24. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. perch — the fish
  2. perch — for a bird
  3. roll — a cake
  4. patient — a sick person
  5. saw — past of 'see'
  6. pitch — completely
  7. saw — the tool
  8. pitch — a sports field
  9. patient — a sick person
  10. wax — for sculpting
  11. safe — out of danger
  12. leaves — lets stay
  13. roll — on a roll
  14. roll — a list
  15. leaves — of a tree
  16. wax — in the ear
  17. safe — out of danger
  18. saw — the tool
  19. patient — calm and waiting
  20. pitch — a sales talk
  21. wax — to grow
  22. leaves — to go away
  23. safe — a strongbox
  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