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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. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  3. The elephant has a huge ________________.
  4. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  5. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  6. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  7. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  8. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  9. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  10. The speedboat left a long ________________ behind it.
  11. I didn't ________________ up well this morning.
  12. This piece is in a major ________________.
  13. Where did you ________________ them?
  14. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  15. My mare is ________________ in color.
  16. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  17. I've got the luggage in my ________________.
  18. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  19. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  20. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  21. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  22. Friends gathered at the ________________ to remember him.
  23. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  24. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.

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

Answer key

  1. trunk — of a tree
  2. bowl — to roll
  3. trunk — of an elephant
  4. bay — to keep at bay
  5. key — the most important part
  6. bowl — a dish
  7. mug — a face
  8. bass — the instrument
  9. bowl — a football final
  10. wake — a trail
  11. wake — to stop sleeping
  12. key — in music
  13. mug — to rob
  14. ruler — for measuring
  15. bay — a horse colour
  16. bass — the fish
  17. trunk — of a car
  18. ruler — a monarch
  19. mug — a cup
  20. bay — a part of the sea
  21. key — for a lock
  22. wake — before a funeral
  23. bass — low music
  24. ruler — for measuring

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