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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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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: jam · perch · squash · safe · chip · bowl · mouse · fork

  1. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  2. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  3. Cut the butternut ________________ into one-inch cubes.
  4. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  5. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  6. I'd like to play a game of ________________.
  7. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  8. The president vowed to ________________ the mutiny.
  9. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  10. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  11. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  12. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  13. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  14. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  15. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  16. We came to a ________________ in the road and had no idea which direction to go.
  17. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  18. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  19. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  20. We usually eat with a knife, ________________ and spoon.
  21. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  22. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  23. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  24. Use a garden ________________ to turn the soil.

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

Answer key

  1. chip — for betting
  2. safe — out of danger
  3. squash — the vegetable
  4. safe — a strongbox
  5. chip — to eat
  6. squash — the sport
  7. jam — in traffic
  8. squash — to crush
  9. perch — for a bird
  10. perch — for a bird
  11. jam — to spread on bread
  12. mouse — the animal
  13. jam — a tight spot
  14. mouse — for a computer
  15. perch — the fish
  16. fork — in a road
  17. bowl — a dish
  18. bowl — to roll
  19. mouse — the animal
  20. fork — to eat with
  21. safe — out of danger
  22. chip — in a computer
  23. bowl — a football final
  24. fork — a garden tool

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