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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 tree's ________________ was scarred by lightning strikes.
  2. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  3. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  4. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  5. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  6. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  7. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  8. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  9. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  10. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  11. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  12. The elephant has a huge ________________.
  13. When will it ________________ you to start?
  14. He is as ________________ as a wolf.
  15. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  16. I've got the luggage in my ________________.
  17. Where did you ________________ them?
  18. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  19. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  20. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  21. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  22. When was this ________________ built?
  23. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  24. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.

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

Answer key

  1. trunk — of a tree
  2. mug — a cup
  3. temple — side of the head
  4. fine — all right
  5. jam — a tight spot
  6. fine — a penalty
  7. lean — to rest against
  8. jam — to spread on bread
  9. mug — a face
  10. fine — high quality
  11. lean — to bend
  12. trunk — of an elephant
  13. suit — to fit
  14. lean — thin
  15. mouse — the animal
  16. trunk — of a car
  17. mug — to rob
  18. jam — in traffic
  19. suit — in cards
  20. mouse — the animal
  21. suit — clothes
  22. temple — a place of worship
  23. mouse — for a computer
  24. temple — a place of worship

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