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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: stick · pop · saw · wake · key · perch · mug · jam

  1. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  2. This piece is in a major ________________.
  3. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  4. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  5. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  6. Where did you ________________ them?
  7. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  8. Friends gathered at the ________________ to remember him.
  9. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  10. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  11. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  12. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  13. You don't need to ________________ round.
  14. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  15. I didn't ________________ up well this morning.
  16. We're almost out of ________________.
  17. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  18. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  19. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  20. Michael Jackson and Prince changed the history of ________________ music.
  21. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  22. He works in a ________________ mill.
  23. The speedboat left a long ________________ behind it.
  24. She's very handy with a ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. stick — to attach or keep to
  2. key — in music
  3. perch — the fish
  4. jam — in traffic
  5. perch — for a bird
  6. mug — to rob
  7. stick — a piece of wood
  8. wake — before a funeral
  9. stick — a piece of wood
  10. mug — a cup
  11. jam — to spread on bread
  12. key — for a lock
  13. pop — to visit
  14. saw — past of 'see'
  15. wake — to stop sleeping
  16. pop — soda
  17. mug — a face
  18. perch — for a bird
  19. key — the most important part
  20. pop — music
  21. jam — a tight spot
  22. saw — the tool
  23. wake — a trail
  24. saw — the tool

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