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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. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  2. The tree's ________________ was scarred by lightning strikes.
  3. I've got the luggage in my ________________.
  4. The ________________ went through the wall.
  5. The elephant has a huge ________________.
  6. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  7. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  8. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  9. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  10. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  11. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  12. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  13. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  14. Buy me a box of chocolates and I'll be ________________.
  15. TikTok makes it very easy to create ________________.
  16. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  17. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  18. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  19. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  20. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  21. Check the label for the sugar ________________.
  22. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  23. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  24. Boris sat near the fire ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. pit — in a race
  2. trunk — of a tree
  3. trunk — of a car
  4. nail — for a hammer
  5. trunk — of an elephant
  6. nail — for a hammer
  7. lie — an untruth
  8. staff — a stick
  9. leaves — to go away
  10. lie — to recline
  11. nail — on a finger
  12. leaves — lets stay
  13. board — to get on
  14. content — happy
  15. content — videos and posts
  16. board — a flat piece
  17. leaves — of a tree
  18. staff — employees
  19. board — a committee
  20. lie — an untruth
  21. content — the amount
  22. staff — employees
  23. pit — a fruit stone
  24. pit — a hole

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