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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 tree's ________________ was scarred by lightning strikes.
  2. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  3. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  4. She's very handy with a ________________.
  5. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  6. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  7. Did you ________________ the meat?
  8. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  9. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  10. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  11. I've got the luggage in my ________________.
  12. The elephant has a huge ________________.
  13. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  14. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  15. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  16. I've got to change the light ________________.
  17. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  18. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  19. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  20. He works in a ________________ mill.
  21. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  22. The light ________________ burned out.
  23. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  24. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.

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

Answer key

  1. trunk — of a tree
  2. pass — to spend time
  3. bass — the instrument
  4. saw — the tool
  5. bass — low music
  6. cue — a signal
  7. season — to add flavour
  8. hide — to keep secret
  9. cue — for pool
  10. bulb — of a plant
  11. trunk — of a car
  12. trunk — of an elephant
  13. season — in sport
  14. bass — the fish
  15. season — of the year
  16. bulb — for light
  17. hide — to keep secret
  18. pass — a permit
  19. cue — a hint
  20. saw — the tool
  21. saw — past of 'see'
  22. bulb — for light
  23. hide — animal skin
  24. pass — to succeed

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