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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.

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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: shower · bore · lash · trunk · suit · craft · mouse · rock

  1. We took cover from the thunder ________________.
  2. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  3. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  4. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  5. When will it ________________ you to start?
  6. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  7. The dagger's metal was presumably from the same meteor ________________.
  8. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  9. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  10. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  11. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  12. The tree's ________________ was scarred by lightning strikes.
  13. Flower arranging is a traditional ________________ in Japan.
  14. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  15. He's taking a ________________ right now.
  16. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  17. The elephant has a huge ________________.
  18. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  19. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  20. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  21. I've got the luggage in my ________________.
  22. He spent years learning his ________________ as a carpenter.
  23. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  24. Small ________________ should stay in the harbor during the storm.

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

Answer key

  1. shower — rain
  2. rock — a stone
  3. suit — in cards
  4. bore — to tire
  5. suit — to fit
  6. lash — an eyelash
  7. shower — a meteor shower
  8. rock — to move gently
  9. bore — gave birth
  10. lash — a whip stroke
  11. mouse — for a computer
  12. trunk — of a tree
  13. craft — a handicraft
  14. lash — to lash out
  15. shower — to wash
  16. bore — to drill
  17. trunk — of an elephant
  18. mouse — the animal
  19. suit — clothes
  20. rock — music
  21. trunk — of a car
  22. craft — a skill
  23. mouse — the animal
  24. craft — boats

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