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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: branch · mark · perch · leaves · squash · wax · safe · mouse

  1. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  2. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  3. Cut the butternut ________________ into one-inch cubes.
  4. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  5. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  6. I'd like to play a game of ________________.
  7. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  8. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  9. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  10. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  11. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  12. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  13. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  14. The president vowed to ________________ the mutiny.
  15. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  16. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  17. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  18. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  19. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  20. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  21. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  22. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  23. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  24. Should I buy a wireless ________________?

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

Answer key

  1. mark — a grade
  2. mouse — the animal
  3. squash — the vegetable
  4. wax — to grow
  5. branch — of a bank
  6. squash — the sport
  7. leaves — lets stay
  8. safe — out of danger
  9. wax — for sculpting
  10. leaves — of a tree
  11. perch — the fish
  12. mark — to pay attention
  13. mouse — the animal
  14. squash — to crush
  15. perch — for a bird
  16. branch — a division
  17. wax — in the ear
  18. leaves — to go away
  19. mark — a trace
  20. safe — a strongbox
  21. branch — of a tree
  22. perch — for a bird
  23. safe — out of danger
  24. mouse — for a computer

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