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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: hide · can · object · current · fine · trunk · jam · wound

  1. The tree's ________________ was scarred by lightning strikes.
  2. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  3. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  4. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  5. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  6. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  7. This looks like a gunshot ________________.
  8. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  9. I've got the luggage in my ________________.
  10. We ________________ up on opposing sides.
  11. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  12. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  13. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  14. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  15. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  16. The elephant has a huge ________________.
  17. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  18. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  19. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  20. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  21. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  22. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  23. It's not a deep ________________. It's just a scratch.
  24. We have nothing to ________________ here.

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

Answer key

  1. trunk — of a tree
  2. can — a tin
  3. fine — high quality
  4. object — a thing
  5. object — an aim
  6. fine — all right
  7. wound — an injury
  8. fine — a penalty
  9. trunk — of a car
  10. wound — past of 'wind'
  11. current — happening now
  12. hide — to keep secret
  13. jam — a tight spot
  14. jam — in traffic
  15. can — a tin
  16. trunk — of an elephant
  17. object — to protest
  18. current — electric
  19. can — to be able to
  20. current — of water
  21. hide — animal skin
  22. jam — to spread on bread
  23. wound — an injury
  24. hide — to keep secret

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