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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
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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: degree · bass · perch · trunk · current · suit · plane · ball

  1. The tree's ________________ was scarred by lightning strikes.
  2. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  3. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  4. A university ________________ is the ticket to a successful career.
  5. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  6. When will it ________________ you to start?
  7. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  8. To what ________________ are you interested in baseball?
  9. The elephant has a huge ________________.
  10. In my city, the temperature is one ________________ above zero.
  11. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  12. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  13. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  14. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  15. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  16. I've got the luggage in my ________________.
  17. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  18. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  19. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  20. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  21. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  22. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  23. The ________________ took off on time.
  24. The King held a masked ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. trunk — of a tree
  2. ball — a round shape
  3. suit — in cards
  4. degree — from a university
  5. plane — a tool
  6. suit — to fit
  7. perch — for a bird
  8. degree — an amount
  9. trunk — of an elephant
  10. degree — temperature
  11. ball — a great time
  12. current — of water
  13. perch — the fish
  14. bass — the fish
  15. bass — low music
  16. trunk — of a car
  17. current — happening now
  18. plane — in geometry
  19. current — electric
  20. suit — clothes
  21. perch — for a bird
  22. bass — the instrument
  23. plane — an aircraft
  24. ball — a dance

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