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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. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  3. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  4. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  5. The elephant has a huge ________________.
  6. I can't ________________ this cold.
  7. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  8. I've got the luggage in my ________________.
  9. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  10. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  11. That must've been a ________________.
  12. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  13. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  14. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  15. There's no middle ________________.
  16. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  17. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  18. The ________________ was covered with snow, as far as the eye could see.
  19. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  20. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  21. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  22. Add some ________________ pepper to it.
  23. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  24. The ________________ went through the wall.

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

Answer key

  1. trunk — of a tree
  2. can — a tin
  3. lash — a whip stroke
  4. mark — to pay attention
  5. trunk — of an elephant
  6. stand — to bear
  7. stand — on your feet
  8. trunk — of a car
  9. stand — for spectators
  10. rush — to hurry
  11. rush — a thrill
  12. lash — an eyelash
  13. nail — on a finger
  14. mark — a trace
  15. ground — a position
  16. lash — to lash out
  17. nail — for a hammer
  18. ground — the earth
  19. mark — a grade
  20. can — a tin
  21. can — to be able to
  22. ground — crushed
  23. rush — hurry
  24. nail — for a hammer

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