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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. A ________________ is just a dried plum.
  2. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  3. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  4. The ________________ went through the wall.
  5. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  6. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  7. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  8. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  9. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  10. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  11. Do not ________________ roses in the fall.
  12. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  13. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  14. He works in a ________________ mill.
  15. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  16. She's very handy with a ________________.
  17. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  18. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  19. When was this ________________ built?
  20. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  21. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  22. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  23. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  24. I cannot ________________ this tree. It's too high.

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

Answer key

  1. prune — the fruit
  2. cue — a hint
  3. board — a flat piece
  4. nail — for a hammer
  5. foot — a measure
  6. mouse — the animal
  7. board — to get on
  8. foot — the bottom
  9. cue — for pool
  10. board — a committee
  11. prune — to trim
  12. mouse — for a computer
  13. foot — part of the body
  14. saw — the tool
  15. nail — for a hammer
  16. saw — the tool
  17. temple — side of the head
  18. cue — a signal
  19. temple — a place of worship
  20. saw — past of 'see'
  21. nail — on a finger
  22. mouse — the animal
  23. temple — a place of worship
  24. prune — to trim

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