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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: mug · mouse · bay · jam · ruler · perch · rock · lash

  1. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  2. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  3. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  4. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  5. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  6. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  7. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  8. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  9. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  10. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  11. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  12. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  13. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  14. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  15. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  16. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  17. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  18. My mare is ________________ in color.
  19. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  20. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  21. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  22. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  23. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  24. Where did you ________________ them?

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

Answer key

  1. bay — a part of the sea
  2. mouse — for a computer
  3. jam — in traffic
  4. lash — to lash out
  5. perch — the fish
  6. mouse — the animal
  7. bay — to keep at bay
  8. mug — a face
  9. mouse — the animal
  10. rock — to move gently
  11. perch — for a bird
  12. jam — to spread on bread
  13. lash — an eyelash
  14. rock — music
  15. ruler — for measuring
  16. ruler — for measuring
  17. jam — a tight spot
  18. bay — a horse colour
  19. rock — a stone
  20. perch — for a bird
  21. lash — a whip stroke
  22. mug — a cup
  23. ruler — a monarch
  24. mug — to rob

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