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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.

Make a worksheet

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: face · rush · toast · mate · perch · object · jam · coach

  1. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  2. She had a strange look on her ________________.
  3. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  4. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  5. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  6. Sooner or later you'll have to ________________ the truth.
  7. Our bedroom windows ________________ the sea.
  8. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  9. That must've been a ________________.
  10. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  11. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  12. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  13. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  14. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  15. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  16. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  17. Have you found your soul ________________?
  18. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  19. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  20. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  21. Have you met the new head ________________?
  22. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  23. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  24. You shouldn't ________________ things.

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

Answer key

  1. perch — for a bird
  2. face — part of the head
  3. mate — a friend
  4. object — a thing
  5. perch — for a bird
  6. face — to confront
  7. face — to point toward
  8. toast — a drink to someone
  9. rush — a thrill
  10. rush — hurry
  11. toast — the most admired
  12. mate — to breed
  13. perch — the fish
  14. object — an aim
  15. coach — pulled by horses
  16. toast — bread
  17. mate — a partner
  18. jam — in traffic
  19. jam — a tight spot
  20. object — to protest
  21. coach — a trainer
  22. jam — to spread on bread
  23. coach — a trainer
  24. rush — to hurry

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