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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: prune · trunk · mark · fork · toast · rush · drill · cue

  1. We came to a ________________ in the road and had no idea which direction to go.
  2. The soldiers did ________________ on the parade ground every morning.
  3. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  4. We had a fire ________________ at school today.
  5. I cannot ________________ this tree. It's too high.
  6. Use a garden ________________ to turn the soil.
  7. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  8. We usually eat with a knife, ________________ and spoon.
  9. The elephant has a huge ________________.
  10. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  11. I've got the luggage in my ________________.
  12. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  13. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  14. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  15. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  16. That must've been a ________________.
  17. A ________________ is just a dried plum.
  18. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  19. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  20. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  21. The tree's ________________ was scarred by lightning strikes.
  22. Do not ________________ roses in the fall.
  23. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  24. I need a ________________ to install the towel rack.

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

Answer key

  1. fork — in a road
  2. drill — army training
  3. mark — a grade
  4. drill — a practice
  5. prune — to trim
  6. fork — a garden tool
  7. cue — a hint
  8. fork — to eat with
  9. trunk — of an elephant
  10. toast — the most admired
  11. trunk — of a car
  12. toast — a drink to someone
  13. cue — a signal
  14. mark — to pay attention
  15. rush — to hurry
  16. rush — a thrill
  17. prune — the fruit
  18. rush — hurry
  19. cue — for pool
  20. mark — a trace
  21. trunk — of a tree
  22. prune — to trim
  23. toast — bread
  24. drill — the tool

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