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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. We came to a ________________ in the road and had no idea which direction to go.
  3. The elephant has a huge ________________.
  4. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  5. I got dealt a bad ________________.
  6. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  7. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  8. He hasn't even shaken my ________________.
  9. Use a garden ________________ to turn the soil.
  10. When will it ________________ you to start?
  11. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  12. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  13. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  14. Do you need a ________________ with that?
  15. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  16. I've got the luggage in my ________________.
  17. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  18. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  19. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  20. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  21. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  22. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  23. How do you ________________ your surname?
  24. We usually eat with a knife, ________________ and spoon.

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

Answer key

  1. trunk — of a tree
  2. fork — in a road
  3. trunk — of an elephant
  4. bass — the fish
  5. hand — in cards
  6. safe — out of danger
  7. ruler — for measuring
  8. hand — part of the body
  9. fork — a garden tool
  10. suit — to fit
  11. ruler — for measuring
  12. spell — a short time
  13. bass — the instrument
  14. hand — help
  15. ruler — a monarch
  16. trunk — of a car
  17. suit — in cards
  18. safe — out of danger
  19. suit — clothes
  20. bass — low music
  21. spell — magic
  22. safe — a strongbox
  23. spell — letters
  24. fork — to eat with

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