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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: can · sharp · mark · wave · perch · stick · tube · pass

  1. It's one o'clock ________________.
  2. He's quite ________________, isn't he?
  3. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  4. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  5. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  6. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  7. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  8. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  9. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  10. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  11. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  12. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  13. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  14. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  15. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  16. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  17. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  18. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  19. I'll be taking the ________________.
  20. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  21. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  22. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  23. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  24. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. sharp — exactly
  2. sharp — clever
  3. stick — to attach or keep to
  4. mark — a grade
  5. pass — a permit
  6. perch — the fish
  7. can — a tin
  8. sharp — with an edge
  9. wave — with your hand
  10. stick — a piece of wood
  11. mark — to pay attention
  12. pass — to spend time
  13. mark — a trace
  14. tube — in a tire
  15. perch — for a bird
  16. can — a tin
  17. tube — a container
  18. perch — for a bird
  19. tube — the underground
  20. pass — to succeed
  21. stick — a piece of wood
  22. can — to be able to
  23. wave — a sudden rise
  24. wave — of the sea

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