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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: deal · suit · lie · fan · bowl · perch · land · safe

  1. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  2. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  3. When are we going to ________________?
  4. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  5. Algeria is a ________________ of gas and oil.
  6. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  7. I'm the one who owns all this ________________.
  8. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  9. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  10. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  11. When will it ________________ you to start?
  12. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  13. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  14. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  15. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  16. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  17. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  18. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  19. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  20. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  21. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  22. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  23. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  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. lie — to recline
  2. fan — a supporter
  3. land — to come down
  4. perch — for a bird
  5. land — a country
  6. safe — a strongbox
  7. land — ground
  8. suit — in cards
  9. lie — an untruth
  10. lie — an untruth
  11. suit — to fit
  12. bowl — a football final
  13. fan — to cool the air
  14. safe — out of danger
  15. perch — the fish
  16. deal — to handle
  17. fan — a supporter
  18. bowl — a dish
  19. suit — clothes
  20. deal — a big deal
  21. safe — out of danger
  22. deal — an agreement
  23. bowl — to roll
  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