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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. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  3. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  4. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  5. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  6. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  7. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  8. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  9. Have you found your soul ________________?
  10. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  11. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  12. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  13. The tickets are free of ________________.
  14. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  15. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  16. The elephant has a huge ________________.
  17. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  18. I've got the luggage in my ________________.
  19. Have you met the new head ________________?
  20. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  21. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  22. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  23. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  24. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.

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

Answer key

  1. trunk — of a tree
  2. cue — a hint
  3. bear — to put up with
  4. coach — pulled by horses
  5. bear — the animal
  6. fan — to cool the air
  7. cue — for pool
  8. mark — a trace
  9. mate — a partner
  10. fan — a supporter
  11. cue — a signal
  12. bear — the animal
  13. charge — a price
  14. charge — electricity
  15. mate — a friend
  16. trunk — of an elephant
  17. coach — a trainer
  18. trunk — of a car
  19. coach — a trainer
  20. mark — a grade
  21. charge — in control
  22. fan — a supporter
  23. mark — to pay attention
  24. mate — to breed

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