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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.

Words on the sheet
468
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: mug · cell · trunk · toast · pass · mark · scale · leaves

  1. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  2. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  3. The tree's ________________ was scarred by lightning strikes.
  4. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  5. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  6. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  7. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  8. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  9. Each ________________ is a complete and highly sophisticated living world in its own right.
  10. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  11. Oh no! I wasn't paying attention and left my ________________ phone in the restaurant!
  12. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  13. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  14. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  15. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  16. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  17. The elephant has a huge ________________.
  18. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  19. Where did you ________________ them?
  20. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  21. I've got the luggage in my ________________.
  22. He was locked up in a ________________.
  23. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  24. She got the top ________________ in the exam.

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

Answer key

  1. scale — for weighing
  2. pass — a permit
  3. trunk — of a tree
  4. toast — a drink to someone
  5. toast — the most admired
  6. scale — size or range
  7. mug — a cup
  8. mark — to pay attention
  9. cell — in biology
  10. leaves — of a tree
  11. cell — a phone
  12. pass — to spend time
  13. mug — a face
  14. leaves — to go away
  15. mark — a trace
  16. scale — in music
  17. trunk — of an elephant
  18. pass — to succeed
  19. mug — to rob
  20. toast — bread
  21. trunk — of a car
  22. cell — in a prison
  23. leaves — lets stay
  24. mark — a grade

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