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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 120 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: safe · object · mug · staff · prune · perch · bass · mine

  1. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  2. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  3. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  4. I cannot ________________ this tree. It's too high.
  5. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  6. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  7. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  8. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  9. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  10. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  11. She's sitting on a gold ________________.
  12. Do not ________________ roses in the fall.
  13. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  14. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  15. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  16. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  17. He was blown up by a land ________________.
  18. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  19. Where did you ________________ them?
  20. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  21. I met an old friend of ________________ the other day.
  22. A ________________ is just a dried plum.
  23. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  24. He has no idea where the ________________ is.

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

Answer key

  1. object — an aim
  2. mug — a cup
  3. perch — for a bird
  4. prune — to trim
  5. perch — for a bird
  6. bass — low music
  7. safe — out of danger
  8. perch — the fish
  9. staff — employees
  10. staff — a stick
  11. mine — for digging
  12. prune — to trim
  13. object — to protest
  14. object — a thing
  15. safe — out of danger
  16. bass — the instrument
  17. mine — an explosive
  18. bass — the fish
  19. mug — to rob
  20. staff — employees
  21. mine — belonging to me
  22. prune — the fruit
  23. mug — a face
  24. safe — a strongbox

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