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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. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  3. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  4. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  5. The King held a masked ________________.
  6. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  7. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  8. The ________________ market has crashed.
  9. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  10. The elephant has a huge ________________.
  11. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  12. The supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.
  13. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  14. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  15. I've got the luggage in my ________________.
  16. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  17. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  18. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  19. What's the difference between broth and ________________?
  20. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  21. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  22. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  23. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  24. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.

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

Answer key

  1. trunk — of a tree
  2. cue — for pool
  3. racket — for tennis
  4. ball — a round shape
  5. ball — a dance
  6. racket — for tennis
  7. mouse — the animal
  8. stock — shares
  9. ruler — a monarch
  10. trunk — of an elephant
  11. cue — a hint
  12. stock — goods
  13. leaves — of a tree
  14. mouse — the animal
  15. trunk — of a car
  16. leaves — to go away
  17. ball — a great time
  18. racket — a loud noise
  19. stock — a soup base
  20. ruler — for measuring
  21. cue — a signal
  22. ruler — for measuring
  23. mouse — for a computer
  24. leaves — lets stay

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