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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 elephant has a huge ________________.
  2. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  3. I've got the luggage in my ________________.
  4. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  5. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  6. I would like to have a ________________ here.
  7. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  8. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  9. Flower arranging is a traditional ________________ in Japan.
  10. The tree's ________________ was scarred by lightning strikes.
  11. Because of the accident, he'll have a limp for the ________________ of his life.
  12. He spent years learning his ________________ as a carpenter.
  13. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  14. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  15. Small ________________ should stay in the harbor during the storm.
  16. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  17. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  18. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  19. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  20. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  21. The ________________ of the members were all out of tune.
  22. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  23. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  24. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.

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

Answer key

  1. trunk — of an elephant
  2. fine — a penalty
  3. trunk — of a car
  4. ruler — for measuring
  5. cue — a hint
  6. rest — a break
  7. ruler — a monarch
  8. stick — a piece of wood
  9. craft — a handicraft
  10. trunk — of a tree
  11. rest — what's left
  12. craft — a skill
  13. fine — all right
  14. ruler — for measuring
  15. craft — boats
  16. stick — to attach or keep to
  17. lie — an untruth
  18. fine — high quality
  19. lie — an untruth
  20. stick — a piece of wood
  21. rest — what's left
  22. lie — to recline
  23. cue — for pool
  24. cue — a signal

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