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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: stick · pass · face · can · coach · trunk · cabinet · fine

  1. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  2. The elephant has a huge ________________.
  3. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  4. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  5. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  6. I've got the luggage in my ________________.
  7. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  8. Our bedroom windows ________________ the sea.
  9. Have you met the new head ________________?
  10. The tree's ________________ was scarred by lightning strikes.
  11. What do you think of the new ________________?
  12. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  13. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  14. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  15. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  16. Sooner or later you'll have to ________________ the truth.
  17. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  18. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  19. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  20. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  21. She had a strange look on her ________________.
  22. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  23. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  24. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.

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

Answer key

  1. pass — to spend time
  2. trunk — of an elephant
  3. stick — a piece of wood
  4. fine — all right
  5. fine — high quality
  6. trunk — of a car
  7. stick — to attach or keep to
  8. face — to point toward
  9. coach — a trainer
  10. trunk — of a tree
  11. cabinet — ministers
  12. cabinet — a cupboard
  13. cabinet — ministers
  14. coach — a trainer
  15. fine — a penalty
  16. face — to confront
  17. can — to be able to
  18. stick — a piece of wood
  19. pass — a permit
  20. can — a tin
  21. face — part of the head
  22. can — a tin
  23. coach — pulled by horses
  24. pass — to succeed

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