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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. The tree's ________________ was scarred by lightning strikes.
  2. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  3. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  4. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  5. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  6. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  7. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  8. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  9. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  10. Don't do anything ________________.
  11. The elephant has a huge ________________.
  12. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  13. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  14. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  15. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  16. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  17. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  18. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  19. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  20. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  21. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  22. I've got the luggage in my ________________.
  23. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  24. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?

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

Answer key

  1. trunk — of a tree
  2. rash — on the skin
  3. lie — an untruth
  4. bowl — to roll
  5. mark — a grade
  6. mark — a trace
  7. rash — a series
  8. leaves — of a tree
  9. chip — to eat
  10. rash — hasty
  11. trunk — of an elephant
  12. chip — in a computer
  13. fine — all right
  14. leaves — lets stay
  15. lie — to recline
  16. fine — a penalty
  17. bowl — a football final
  18. fine — high quality
  19. mark — to pay attention
  20. leaves — to go away
  21. bowl — a dish
  22. trunk — of a car
  23. chip — for betting
  24. lie — an untruth

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