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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. We will have lived in Kyoto for eight years next ________________.
  2. When will it ________________ you to start?
  3. The band played a military ________________ at the parade.
  4. I've got the luggage in my ________________.
  5. The elephant has a huge ________________.
  6. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  7. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  8. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  9. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  10. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  11. The tree's ________________ was scarred by lightning strikes.
  12. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  13. They were given a penalty ________________ just minutes from the end.
  14. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  15. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  16. What do you think of the new ________________?
  17. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  18. One ________________ from a giraffe's hind leg is enough to kill a lion.
  19. I get a ________________ out of her cheerful personality.
  20. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  21. His birthday is in either ________________ or April.
  22. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  23. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  24. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.

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

Answer key

  1. march — the month
  2. suit — to fit
  3. march — music
  4. trunk — of a car
  5. trunk — of an elephant
  6. cabinet — ministers
  7. can — to be able to
  8. suit — in cards
  9. board — a flat piece
  10. can — a tin
  11. trunk — of a tree
  12. perch — for a bird
  13. kick — in football
  14. suit — clothes
  15. perch — for a bird
  16. cabinet — ministers
  17. can — a tin
  18. kick — with a leg
  19. kick — a thrill
  20. board — to get on
  21. march — the month
  22. cabinet — a cupboard
  23. perch — the fish
  24. board — a committee

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