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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: track · roll · key · bulb · trunk · nail · leaves · plane

  1. The elephant has a huge ________________.
  2. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  3. The ________________ went through the wall.
  4. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  5. The teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.
  6. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  7. We're on a ________________ here.
  8. The tree's ________________ was scarred by lightning strikes.
  9. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  10. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  11. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  12. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  13. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  14. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  15. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  16. The light ________________ burned out.
  17. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  18. This piece is in a major ________________.
  19. I've got the luggage in my ________________.
  20. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  21. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.
  22. The ________________ took off on time.
  23. I've got to change the light ________________.
  24. The ________________ change colour in autumn.

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

Answer key

  1. trunk — of an elephant
  2. key — for a lock
  3. nail — for a hammer
  4. track — a path
  5. roll — a list
  6. leaves — lets stay
  7. roll — on a roll
  8. trunk — of a tree
  9. track — to keep track
  10. plane — in geometry
  11. nail — for a hammer
  12. track — a song
  13. bulb — of a plant
  14. key — the most important part
  15. nail — on a finger
  16. bulb — for light
  17. leaves — to go away
  18. key — in music
  19. trunk — of a car
  20. plane — a tool
  21. roll — a cake
  22. plane — an aircraft
  23. bulb — for light
  24. leaves — of a tree

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