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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.

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: mouse · stick · wave · trunk · bulb · current · hide · spell

  1. The tree's ________________ was scarred by lightning strikes.
  2. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  3. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  4. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  5. The light ________________ burned out.
  6. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  7. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  8. I've got the luggage in my ________________.
  9. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  10. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  11. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  12. I've got to change the light ________________.
  13. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  14. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  15. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  16. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  17. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  18. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  19. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  20. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  21. The elephant has a huge ________________.
  22. How do you ________________ your surname?
  23. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  24. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.

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

Answer key

  1. trunk — of a tree
  2. wave — a sudden rise
  3. stick — to attach or keep to
  4. wave — with your hand
  5. bulb — for light
  6. spell — a short time
  7. hide — to keep secret
  8. trunk — of a car
  9. current — of water
  10. current — electric
  11. mouse — for a computer
  12. bulb — for light
  13. spell — magic
  14. hide — to keep secret
  15. stick — a piece of wood
  16. bulb — of a plant
  17. mouse — the animal
  18. stick — a piece of wood
  19. wave — of the sea
  20. hide — animal skin
  21. trunk — of an elephant
  22. spell — letters
  23. mouse — the animal
  24. current — happening now

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