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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.

Make a worksheet

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: can · deal · lash · trunk · lie · present · leaves · charge

  1. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  2. The elephant has a huge ________________.
  3. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  4. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  5. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  6. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  7. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  8. Actually, the ________________ method has plenty of room for improvement.
  9. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  10. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  11. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  12. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  13. Did you get a birthday ________________ for him this year?
  14. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  15. The tree's ________________ was scarred by lightning strikes.
  16. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  17. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  18. My partner was ________________ at the birth of our baby.
  19. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  20. The tickets are free of ________________.
  21. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  22. I've got the luggage in my ________________.
  23. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  24. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.

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

Answer key

  1. can — to be able to
  2. trunk — of an elephant
  3. lie — an untruth
  4. leaves — lets stay
  5. charge — in control
  6. lash — an eyelash
  7. deal — to handle
  8. present — the time now
  9. can — a tin
  10. leaves — to go away
  11. lie — to recline
  12. leaves — of a tree
  13. present — a gift
  14. charge — electricity
  15. trunk — of a tree
  16. lie — an untruth
  17. lash — to lash out
  18. present — there
  19. can — a tin
  20. charge — a price
  21. lash — a whip stroke
  22. trunk — of a car
  23. deal — an agreement
  24. deal — a big deal

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