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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.

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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: mug · can · pop · safe · pitch · trunk · ruler · cabinet

  1. I've got the luggage in my ________________.
  2. The tree's ________________ was scarred by lightning strikes.
  3. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  4. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  5. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  6. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  7. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  8. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  9. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  10. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  11. You don't need to ________________ round.
  12. What do you think of the new ________________?
  13. The room was ________________ black, so I couldn't see a thing.
  14. The elephant has a huge ________________.
  15. We're almost out of ________________.
  16. The players ran onto the football ________________.
  17. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  18. She's preparing to ________________ her idea to the investors.
  19. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  20. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  21. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  22. Michael Jackson and Prince changed the history of ________________ music.
  23. Where did you ________________ them?
  24. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. trunk — of a car
  2. trunk — of a tree
  3. mug — a face
  4. can — a tin
  5. can — a tin
  6. safe — out of danger
  7. ruler — for measuring
  8. safe — a strongbox
  9. can — to be able to
  10. safe — out of danger
  11. pop — to visit
  12. cabinet — ministers
  13. pitch — completely
  14. trunk — of an elephant
  15. pop — soda
  16. pitch — a sports field
  17. ruler — for measuring
  18. pitch — a sales talk
  19. mug — a cup
  20. cabinet — ministers
  21. ruler — a monarch
  22. pop — music
  23. mug — to rob
  24. cabinet — a cupboard

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