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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
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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: spell · wave · foot · stick · scale · fork · trunk · roll

  1. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  2. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  3. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  4. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  5. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  6. The teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.
  7. We're on a ________________ here.
  8. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  9. Use a garden ________________ to turn the soil.
  10. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  11. I've got the luggage in my ________________.
  12. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.
  13. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  14. The elephant has a huge ________________.
  15. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  16. We came to a ________________ in the road and had no idea which direction to go.
  17. The tree's ________________ was scarred by lightning strikes.
  18. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  19. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  20. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  21. How do you ________________ your surname?
  22. We usually eat with a knife, ________________ and spoon.
  23. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  24. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. stick — to attach or keep to
  2. scale — for weighing
  3. wave — a sudden rise
  4. foot — part of the body
  5. spell — a short time
  6. roll — a list
  7. roll — on a roll
  8. wave — with your hand
  9. fork — a garden tool
  10. scale — size or range
  11. trunk — of a car
  12. roll — a cake
  13. scale — in music
  14. trunk — of an elephant
  15. spell — magic
  16. fork — in a road
  17. trunk — of a tree
  18. foot — a measure
  19. foot — the bottom
  20. wave — of the sea
  21. spell — letters
  22. fork — to eat with
  23. stick — a piece of wood
  24. stick — a piece of wood

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