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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. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  3. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  4. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  5. The coach helped Matthew straighten out his golf ________________, improving his game.
  6. The elephant has a huge ________________.
  7. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  8. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  9. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  10. The ________________ went through the wall.
  11. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  12. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  13. David sat on the ________________.
  14. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  15. In jazz, ________________ was gradually being replaced by bebop.
  16. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  17. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  18. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  19. I've got the luggage in my ________________.
  20. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  21. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  22. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  23. What do you think of the new ________________?
  24. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.

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

Answer key

  1. trunk — of a tree
  2. jam — a tight spot
  3. cabinet — ministers
  4. fine — high quality
  5. swing — in golf
  6. trunk — of an elephant
  7. jam — to spread on bread
  8. stick — a piece of wood
  9. current — electric
  10. nail — for a hammer
  11. fine — all right
  12. current — of water
  13. swing — to play on
  14. cabinet — a cupboard
  15. swing — music
  16. nail — for a hammer
  17. stick — a piece of wood
  18. nail — on a finger
  19. trunk — of a car
  20. fine — a penalty
  21. current — happening now
  22. jam — in traffic
  23. cabinet — ministers
  24. stick — to attach or keep to

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