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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. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  3. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  4. What do you think of the new ________________?
  5. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  6. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  7. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  8. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  9. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  10. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  11. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  12. The elephant has a huge ________________.
  13. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  14. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  15. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  16. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  17. Have you found your soul ________________?
  18. I've got the luggage in my ________________.
  19. Have you met the new head ________________?
  20. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  21. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  22. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  23. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  24. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?

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

Answer key

  1. trunk — of a tree
  2. cabinet — ministers
  3. lash — an eyelash
  4. cabinet — ministers
  5. deal — a big deal
  6. board — a committee
  7. lash — to lash out
  8. coach — a trainer
  9. mate — to breed
  10. can — a tin
  11. can — a tin
  12. trunk — of an elephant
  13. can — to be able to
  14. deal — an agreement
  15. cabinet — a cupboard
  16. mate — a friend
  17. mate — a partner
  18. trunk — of a car
  19. coach — a trainer
  20. board — a flat piece
  21. lash — a whip stroke
  22. board — to get on
  23. deal — to handle
  24. coach — pulled by horses

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