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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. The ________________ went through the wall.
  2. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  3. When will it ________________ you to start?
  4. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  5. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  6. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  7. I've got the luggage in my ________________.
  8. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  9. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  10. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  11. What do you think of the new ________________?
  12. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  13. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  14. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  15. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  16. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  17. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  18. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  19. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  20. The elephant has a huge ________________.
  21. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  22. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  23. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  24. The tree's ________________ was scarred by lightning strikes.

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

Answer key

  1. nail — for a hammer
  2. dip — a sauce
  3. suit — to fit
  4. suit — clothes
  5. nail — for a hammer
  6. cue — for pool
  7. trunk — of a car
  8. bowl — to roll
  9. bear — to put up with
  10. dip — to dunk
  11. cabinet — ministers
  12. cabinet — ministers
  13. bowl — a football final
  14. bear — the animal
  15. bear — the animal
  16. cue — a signal
  17. cabinet — a cupboard
  18. bowl — a dish
  19. suit — in cards
  20. trunk — of an elephant
  21. dip — to sink
  22. nail — on a finger
  23. cue — a hint
  24. trunk — of a tree

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