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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 120 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. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  2. The tree's ________________ was scarred by lightning strikes.
  3. I've got the luggage in my ________________.
  4. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  5. The ________________ went through the wall.
  6. How do you ________________ your surname?
  7. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  8. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  9. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  10. The ________________ took off on time.
  11. The tickets are free of ________________.
  12. The elephant has a huge ________________.
  13. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  14. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  15. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  16. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  17. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  18. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  19. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  20. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  21. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  22. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  23. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  24. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.

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

Answer key

  1. spell — magic
  2. trunk — of a tree
  3. trunk — of a car
  4. nail — on a finger
  5. nail — for a hammer
  6. spell — letters
  7. staff — employees
  8. can — a tin
  9. can — to be able to
  10. plane — an aircraft
  11. charge — a price
  12. trunk — of an elephant
  13. can — a tin
  14. plane — in geometry
  15. nail — for a hammer
  16. spell — a short time
  17. calf — a young animal
  18. calf — a young animal
  19. charge — in control
  20. calf — of the leg
  21. staff — employees
  22. staff — a stick
  23. charge — electricity
  24. plane — a tool

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