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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.

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Multiple-Meaning Words

Name: ____________________Date: __________

Write the missing word in each sentence. Each word is used more than once, with a different meaning each time.

  1. The ________________ took off on time.
  2. I've got the luggage in my ________________.
  3. The elephant has a huge ________________.
  4. The ________________ went through the wall.
  5. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  6. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  7. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  8. He took the fish out of the ________________.
  9. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  10. The King held a masked ________________.
  11. The ball hit the back of the ________________.
  12. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  13. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  14. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  15. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  16. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  17. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  18. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  19. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  20. When will it ________________ you to start?
  21. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  22. What was your ________________ profit last year?
  23. The tree's ________________ was scarred by lightning strikes.
  24. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.

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

Answer key

  1. plane — an aircraft
  2. trunk — of a car
  3. trunk — of an elephant
  4. nail — for a hammer
  5. nail — on a finger
  6. plane — a tool
  7. suit — in cards
  8. net — for catching
  9. mouse — the animal
  10. ball — a dance
  11. net — in sport
  12. plane — in geometry
  13. ball — a great time
  14. mouse — for a computer
  15. firm — a company
  16. firm — decided
  17. mouse — the animal
  18. ball — a round shape
  19. nail — for a hammer
  20. suit — to fit
  21. firm — steady
  22. net — after costs
  23. trunk — of a tree
  24. suit — clothes

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