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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: bulb · perch · bound · can · temple · snap · stand · shower

  1. We took cover from the thunder ________________.
  2. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  3. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  4. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  5. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  6. When was this ________________ built?
  7. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  8. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  9. I've got to change the light ________________.
  10. The dagger's metal was presumably from the same meteor ________________.
  11. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  12. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  13. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  14. He's taking a ________________ right now.
  15. The light ________________ burned out.
  16. That was ________________ to happen.
  17. You don't have to ________________ at me like that.
  18. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  19. When I ________________ my fingers, you'll wake up.
  20. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  21. ________________ out of it! You haven't done a thing all week.
  22. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  23. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  24. I can't ________________ this cold.

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

Answer key

  1. shower — rain
  2. perch — for a bird
  3. bulb — of a plant
  4. stand — for spectators
  5. bound — tied together
  6. temple — a place of worship
  7. perch — the fish
  8. bound — obliged
  9. bulb — for light
  10. shower — a meteor shower
  11. perch — for a bird
  12. can — a tin
  13. can — to be able to
  14. shower — to wash
  15. bulb — for light
  16. bound — certain
  17. snap — to speak sharply
  18. temple — side of the head
  19. snap — to click
  20. temple — a place of worship
  21. snap — to snap out of it
  22. can — a tin
  23. stand — on your feet
  24. stand — to bear

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