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

  1. The tree's ________________ was scarred by lightning strikes.
  2. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  3. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  4. He works in a ________________ mill.
  5. This piece is in a major ________________.
  6. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  7. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  8. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  9. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  10. The president vowed to ________________ the mutiny.
  11. I'd like to play a game of ________________.
  12. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  13. The elephant has a huge ________________.
  14. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  15. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  16. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  17. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  18. Have you met the new head ________________?
  19. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  20. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  21. Cut the butternut ________________ into one-inch cubes.
  22. I've got the luggage in my ________________.
  23. She's very handy with a ________________.
  24. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?

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

Answer key

  1. trunk — of a tree
  2. saw — past of 'see'
  3. chip — in a computer
  4. saw — the tool
  5. key — in music
  6. perch — for a bird
  7. pass — to spend time
  8. chip — to eat
  9. perch — the fish
  10. squash — to crush
  11. squash — the sport
  12. pass — to succeed
  13. trunk — of an elephant
  14. pass — a permit
  15. perch — for a bird
  16. coach — a trainer
  17. key — for a lock
  18. coach — a trainer
  19. key — the most important part
  20. chip — for betting
  21. squash — the vegetable
  22. trunk — of a car
  23. saw — the tool
  24. coach — pulled by horses

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