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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: pass · mug · fine · toast · mouse · key · perch · march

  1. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  2. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  3. Where did you ________________ them?
  4. We will have lived in Kyoto for eight years next ________________.
  5. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  6. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  7. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  8. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  9. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  10. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  11. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  12. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  13. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  14. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  15. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  16. His birthday is in either ________________ or April.
  17. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  18. The band played a military ________________ at the parade.
  19. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  20. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  21. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  22. This piece is in a major ________________.
  23. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  24. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?

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

Answer key

  1. perch — for a bird
  2. pass — to succeed
  3. mug — to rob
  4. march — the month
  5. pass — to spend time
  6. fine — high quality
  7. fine — a penalty
  8. perch — the fish
  9. perch — for a bird
  10. mug — a cup
  11. pass — a permit
  12. mouse — for a computer
  13. toast — bread
  14. mouse — the animal
  15. toast — a drink to someone
  16. march — the month
  17. toast — the most admired
  18. march — music
  19. fine — all right
  20. mouse — the animal
  21. mug — a face
  22. key — in music
  23. key — the most important part
  24. key — for a lock

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