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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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Word bank
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Multiple-Meaning Words

Name: ____________________Date: __________

Write the missing word from the word bank in each sentence. Each word is used more than once, with a different meaning each time.

Word bank: face · lash · current · rush · trunk · can · stick · rock

  1. The tree's ________________ was scarred by lightning strikes.
  2. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  3. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  4. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  5. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  6. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  7. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  8. That must've been a ________________.
  9. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  10. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  11. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  12. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  13. The elephant has a huge ________________.
  14. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  15. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  16. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  17. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  18. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  19. She had a strange look on her ________________.
  20. Sooner or later you'll have to ________________ the truth.
  21. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  22. I've got the luggage in my ________________.
  23. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  24. Our bedroom windows ________________ the sea.

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

Answer key

  1. trunk — of a tree
  2. stick — to attach or keep to
  3. rush — hurry
  4. current — of water
  5. rock — music
  6. can — a tin
  7. stick — a piece of wood
  8. rush — a thrill
  9. current — happening now
  10. lash — an eyelash
  11. lash — a whip stroke
  12. can — a tin
  13. trunk — of an elephant
  14. current — electric
  15. lash — to lash out
  16. rock — to move gently
  17. can — to be able to
  18. rush — to hurry
  19. face — part of the head
  20. face — to confront
  21. stick — a piece of wood
  22. trunk — of a car
  23. rock — a stone
  24. face — to point toward

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