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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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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: fine · trunk · mouse · coach · pitcher · can · board · wax

  1. The tree's ________________ was scarred by lightning strikes.
  2. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  3. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  4. Have you met the new head ________________?
  5. I've got the luggage in my ________________.
  6. The elephant has a huge ________________.
  7. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  8. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  9. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  10. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  11. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  12. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  13. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  14. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  15. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  16. He is an ace ________________.
  17. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  18. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  19. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  20. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  21. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  22. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  23. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  24. ________________ you help me carry this box?

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

Answer key

  1. trunk — of a tree
  2. mouse — the animal
  3. board — a flat piece
  4. coach — a trainer
  5. trunk — of a car
  6. trunk — of an elephant
  7. fine — high quality
  8. fine — all right
  9. fine — a penalty
  10. board — a committee
  11. board — to get on
  12. can — a tin
  13. can — a tin
  14. pitcher — a jug
  15. mouse — for a computer
  16. pitcher — in baseball
  17. wax — in the ear
  18. coach — pulled by horses
  19. wax — to grow
  20. wax — for sculpting
  21. coach — a trainer
  22. pitcher — a jug
  23. mouse — the animal
  24. can — to be able to

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