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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
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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: leaves · pitcher · pop · object · drill · mouse · can · suit

  1. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  2. We had a fire ________________ at school today.
  3. We're almost out of ________________.
  4. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  5. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  6. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  7. I need a ________________ to install the towel rack.
  8. He is an ace ________________.
  9. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  10. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  11. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  12. Michael Jackson and Prince changed the history of ________________ music.
  13. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  14. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  15. When will it ________________ you to start?
  16. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  17. The soldiers did ________________ on the parade ground every morning.
  18. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  19. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  20. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  21. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  22. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  23. You don't need to ________________ round.
  24. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.

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

Answer key

  1. pitcher — a jug
  2. drill — a practice
  3. pop — soda
  4. mouse — for a computer
  5. can — a tin
  6. mouse — the animal
  7. drill — the tool
  8. pitcher — in baseball
  9. object — to protest
  10. leaves — of a tree
  11. can — a tin
  12. pop — music
  13. suit — clothes
  14. object — an aim
  15. suit — to fit
  16. leaves — lets stay
  17. drill — army training
  18. leaves — to go away
  19. suit — in cards
  20. can — to be able to
  21. mouse — the animal
  22. object — a thing
  23. pop — to visit
  24. pitcher — a jug

Multiple-meaning words list

Tick up to 10 words to build a worksheet with just those words.

Make a worksheet (0 words)

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