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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.

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: bulb · fine · mouse · trunk · coach · wake · arm · perch

  1. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  2. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  3. The light ________________ burned out.
  4. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  5. The tree's ________________ was scarred by lightning strikes.
  6. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  7. Friends gathered at the ________________ to remember him.
  8. The elephant has a huge ________________.
  9. I've got to change the light ________________.
  10. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  11. My father caught me by the ________________.
  12. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  13. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  14. The speedboat left a long ________________ behind it.
  15. Have you met the new head ________________?
  16. I didn't ________________ up well this morning.
  17. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  18. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  19. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  20. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  21. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  22. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  23. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  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. arm — a part of something
  2. fine — high quality
  3. bulb — for light
  4. fine — a penalty
  5. trunk — of a tree
  6. perch — for a bird
  7. wake — before a funeral
  8. trunk — of an elephant
  9. bulb — for light
  10. coach — a trainer
  11. arm — part of the body
  12. arm — part of the body
  13. fine — all right
  14. wake — a trail
  15. coach — a trainer
  16. wake — to stop sleeping
  17. mouse — the animal
  18. mouse — the animal
  19. bulb — of a plant
  20. perch — the fish
  21. coach — pulled by horses
  22. perch — for a bird
  23. mouse — for a computer
  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