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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 have a corn on my right ________________.
  3. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  4. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  5. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  6. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  7. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  8. Did you ________________ the meat?
  9. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  10. The elephant has a huge ________________.
  11. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  12. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  13. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  14. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  15. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  16. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  17. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  18. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  19. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  20. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  21. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  22. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  23. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  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. foot — part of the body
  3. board — a committee
  4. lie — an untruth
  5. perch — the fish
  6. leaves — of a tree
  7. stick — a piece of wood
  8. season — to add flavour
  9. stick — a piece of wood
  10. trunk — of an elephant
  11. lie — an untruth
  12. lie — to recline
  13. leaves — lets stay
  14. board — a flat piece
  15. board — to get on
  16. foot — the bottom
  17. perch — for a bird
  18. stick — to attach or keep to
  19. perch — for a bird
  20. season — of the year
  21. leaves — to go away
  22. season — in sport
  23. foot — a measure
  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