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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 116 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. I've got the luggage in my ________________.
  2. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  3. The tree's ________________ was scarred by lightning strikes.
  4. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  5. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  6. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  7. The elephant has a huge ________________.
  8. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  9. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  10. He is an ace ________________.
  11. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  12. The ________________ went through the wall.
  13. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  14. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  15. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  16. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  17. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  18. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  19. The tickets are free of ________________.
  20. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  21. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  22. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  23. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  24. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. trunk — of a car
  2. cue — for pool
  3. trunk — of a tree
  4. nail — for a hammer
  5. lash — an eyelash
  6. cue — a hint
  7. trunk — of an elephant
  8. pass — a permit
  9. nail — on a finger
  10. pitcher — in baseball
  11. mouse — the animal
  12. nail — for a hammer
  13. charge — electricity
  14. lash — to lash out
  15. pass — to spend time
  16. pitcher — a jug
  17. pass — to succeed
  18. mouse — the animal
  19. charge — a price
  20. pitcher — a jug
  21. charge — in control
  22. mouse — for a computer
  23. cue — a signal
  24. lash — a whip stroke

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