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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 124 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. I've got the luggage in my ________________.
  3. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  4. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  5. She had a strange look on her ________________.
  6. Sooner or later you'll have to ________________ the truth.
  7. The tree's ________________ was scarred by lightning strikes.
  8. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  9. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  10. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  11. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  12. The president vowed to ________________ the mutiny.
  13. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  14. Our bedroom windows ________________ the sea.
  15. I'd like to play a game of ________________.
  16. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  17. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  18. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  19. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  20. Cut the butternut ________________ into one-inch cubes.
  21. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  22. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  23. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  24. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.

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 car
  3. leaves — lets stay
  4. can — a tin
  5. face — part of the head
  6. face — to confront
  7. trunk — of a tree
  8. jam — in traffic
  9. lash — an eyelash
  10. safe — out of danger
  11. jam — to spread on bread
  12. squash — to crush
  13. can — to be able to
  14. face — to point toward
  15. squash — the sport
  16. jam — a tight spot
  17. lash — to lash out
  18. lash — a whip stroke
  19. leaves — to go away
  20. squash — the vegetable
  21. safe — out of danger
  22. safe — a strongbox
  23. leaves — of a tree
  24. can — a tin

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