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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. The elephant has a huge ________________.
  2. The tree's ________________ was scarred by lightning strikes.
  3. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  4. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  5. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  6. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  7. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  8. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  9. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  10. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  11. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  12. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  13. Did you ________________ the meat?
  14. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  15. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  16. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  17. I've got the luggage in my ________________.
  18. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  19. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  20. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  21. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  22. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  23. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  24. The ________________ took off on time.

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

Answer key

  1. trunk — of an elephant
  2. trunk — of a tree
  3. safe — out of danger
  4. can — a tin
  5. racket — for tennis
  6. fine — a penalty
  7. lie — to recline
  8. lie — an untruth
  9. fine — high quality
  10. can — a tin
  11. safe — a strongbox
  12. racket — for tennis
  13. season — to add flavour
  14. plane — a tool
  15. safe — out of danger
  16. season — of the year
  17. trunk — of a car
  18. season — in sport
  19. racket — a loud noise
  20. can — to be able to
  21. fine — all right
  22. plane — in geometry
  23. lie — an untruth
  24. plane — an aircraft

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