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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 116 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
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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: lash · mug · bay · scale · board · mouse · patient · saw

  1. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  2. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  3. The nurse administered an injection to the ________________.
  4. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  5. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  6. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  7. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  8. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  9. Where did you ________________ them?
  10. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  11. The farmer was ________________ with the unruly horse.
  12. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  13. The ________________ was transferred to the cardiology ward.
  14. She's very handy with a ________________.
  15. He works in a ________________ mill.
  16. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  17. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  18. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  19. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  20. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  21. My mare is ________________ in color.
  22. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  23. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  24. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. mouse — the animal
  2. board — a flat piece
  3. patient — a sick person
  4. lash — a whip stroke
  5. mug — a face
  6. scale — for weighing
  7. saw — past of 'see'
  8. scale — in music
  9. mug — to rob
  10. scale — size or range
  11. patient — calm and waiting
  12. mouse — for a computer
  13. patient — a sick person
  14. saw — the tool
  15. saw — the tool
  16. mug — a cup
  17. lash — to lash out
  18. bay — a part of the sea
  19. bay — to keep at bay
  20. lash — an eyelash
  21. bay — a horse colour
  22. board — a committee
  23. board — to get on
  24. mouse — the animal

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