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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. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  3. Will civil ________________ and democracy continue in Algeria?
  4. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  5. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  6. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  7. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  8. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  9. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  10. She's an expert in the ________________ of medicine.
  11. The King held a masked ________________.
  12. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  13. The elephant has a huge ________________.
  14. The chairman did not ________________ out the possibility of a disagreement.
  15. Remember our ________________: no talking to strangers, no matter what.
  16. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  17. When will it ________________ you to start?
  18. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  19. The stadium has a track around the football ________________.
  20. What do you think of the new ________________?
  21. Vegetables are growing on this ________________.
  22. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  23. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  24. I've got the luggage in my ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. trunk — of a tree
  2. can — a tin
  3. rule — government
  4. ball — a great time
  5. can — a tin
  6. suit — in cards
  7. ball — a round shape
  8. mark — a grade
  9. cabinet — ministers
  10. field — a subject
  11. ball — a dance
  12. cabinet — a cupboard
  13. trunk — of an elephant
  14. rule — to rule out
  15. rule — a law
  16. mark — to pay attention
  17. suit — to fit
  18. mark — a trace
  19. field — for sport
  20. cabinet — ministers
  21. field — farmland
  22. can — to be able to
  23. suit — clothes
  24. trunk — of a car

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