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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 116 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: coach · safe · pitcher · cue · sharp · fan · ruler · trunk

  1. The tree's ________________ was scarred by lightning strikes.
  2. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  3. I've got the luggage in my ________________.
  4. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  5. He is an ace ________________.
  6. He's quite ________________, isn't he?
  7. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  8. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  9. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  10. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  11. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  12. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  13. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  14. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  15. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  16. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  17. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  18. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  19. The elephant has a huge ________________.
  20. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  21. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  22. Have you met the new head ________________?
  23. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  24. It's one o'clock ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. trunk — of a tree
  2. coach — a trainer
  3. trunk — of a car
  4. ruler — for measuring
  5. pitcher — in baseball
  6. sharp — clever
  7. safe — out of danger
  8. coach — pulled by horses
  9. fan — a supporter
  10. ruler — for measuring
  11. safe — out of danger
  12. cue — a hint
  13. cue — a signal
  14. sharp — with an edge
  15. pitcher — a jug
  16. cue — for pool
  17. pitcher — a jug
  18. fan — a supporter
  19. trunk — of an elephant
  20. ruler — a monarch
  21. fan — to cool the air
  22. coach — a trainer
  23. safe — a strongbox
  24. sharp — exactly

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