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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.

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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: mouse · dip · can · tube · track · object · temple · perch

  1. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  2. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  3. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  4. I'll be taking the ________________.
  5. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  6. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  7. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  8. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  9. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  10. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  11. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  12. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  13. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  14. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  15. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  16. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  17. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  18. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  19. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  20. When was this ________________ built?
  21. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  22. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  23. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  24. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.

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

Answer key

  1. dip — to sink
  2. tube — in a tire
  3. dip — a sauce
  4. tube — the underground
  5. perch — for a bird
  6. temple — side of the head
  7. can — to be able to
  8. dip — to dunk
  9. object — to protest
  10. perch — for a bird
  11. track — a song
  12. track — a path
  13. object — a thing
  14. tube — a container
  15. mouse — the animal
  16. temple — a place of worship
  17. perch — the fish
  18. can — a tin
  19. mouse — for a computer
  20. temple — a place of worship
  21. track — to keep track
  22. can — a tin
  23. object — an aim
  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