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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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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: jam · perch · lash · deal · stick · toast · lie · cap

  1. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  2. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  3. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  4. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  5. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  6. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  7. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  8. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  9. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  10. Can you put the ________________ back on the pen?
  11. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  12. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  13. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  14. The polar ice ________________ is melting.
  15. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  16. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  17. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  18. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  19. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  20. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  21. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  22. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  23. It's best to wear a ________________ on your head during the cold Moscow winters.
  24. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.

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

Answer key

  1. perch — for a bird
  2. stick — to attach or keep to
  3. toast — a drink to someone
  4. stick — a piece of wood
  5. deal — a big deal
  6. lie — to recline
  7. lash — to lash out
  8. jam — to spread on bread
  9. jam — in traffic
  10. cap — a lid
  11. perch — for a bird
  12. perch — the fish
  13. jam — a tight spot
  14. cap — of ice
  15. lash — a whip stroke
  16. lash — an eyelash
  17. deal — to handle
  18. lie — an untruth
  19. lie — an untruth
  20. stick — a piece of wood
  21. toast — the most admired
  22. toast — bread
  23. cap — a hat
  24. deal — an agreement

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