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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: pass · trunk · fan · racket · file · board · root · mark

  1. The information is stored in a ________________ on my computer.
  2. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  3. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  4. He rubbed the rust off with a ________________.
  5. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  6. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  7. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  8. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  9. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  10. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  11. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  12. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  13. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  14. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  15. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  16. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  17. The tree's ________________ was scarred by lightning strikes.
  18. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  19. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  20. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  21. The elephant has a huge ________________.
  22. We walked down the narrow path in single ________________.
  23. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  24. I've got the luggage in my ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. file — a document
  2. mark — a trace
  3. pass — a permit
  4. file — a tool
  5. root — the cause
  6. board — a flat piece
  7. pass — to succeed
  8. fan — a supporter
  9. root — of a plant
  10. racket — for tennis
  11. mark — to pay attention
  12. board — to get on
  13. fan — to cool the air
  14. root — of a word
  15. fan — a supporter
  16. racket — a loud noise
  17. trunk — of a tree
  18. pass — to spend time
  19. mark — a grade
  20. board — a committee
  21. trunk — of an elephant
  22. file — a line of people
  23. racket — for tennis
  24. trunk — of a car

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