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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.

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: lean · key · pitcher · mouse · saw · fan · suit · bowl

  1. When will it ________________ you to start?
  2. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  3. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  4. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  5. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  6. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  7. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  8. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  9. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  10. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  11. He is an ace ________________.
  12. This piece is in a major ________________.
  13. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  14. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  15. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  16. He is as ________________ as a wolf.
  17. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  18. He works in a ________________ mill.
  19. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  20. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  21. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  22. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  23. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  24. She's very handy with a ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. suit — to fit
  2. mouse — the animal
  3. suit — in cards
  4. bowl — a dish
  5. saw — past of 'see'
  6. mouse — for a computer
  7. key — for a lock
  8. fan — a supporter
  9. key — the most important part
  10. bowl — a football final
  11. pitcher — in baseball
  12. key — in music
  13. fan — to cool the air
  14. pitcher — a jug
  15. mouse — the animal
  16. lean — thin
  17. fan — a supporter
  18. saw — the tool
  19. lean — to bend
  20. suit — clothes
  21. bowl — to roll
  22. lean — to rest against
  23. pitcher — a jug
  24. saw — the 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