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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
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: spring · trunk · safe · rush · racket · snap · suit · wave

  1. The tree's ________________ was scarred by lightning strikes.
  2. There's a broken ________________ in the bed.
  3. ________________ out of it! You haven't done a thing all week.
  4. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  5. When I ________________ my fingers, you'll wake up.
  6. The flowers bloom in the ________________.
  7. That must've been a ________________.
  8. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  9. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  10. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  11. The hotel is built around a mineral ________________.
  12. You don't have to ________________ at me like that.
  13. When will it ________________ you to start?
  14. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  15. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  16. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  17. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  18. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  19. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  20. I've got the luggage in my ________________.
  21. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  22. The elephant has a huge ________________.
  23. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  24. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. trunk — of a tree
  2. spring — a coil
  3. snap — to snap out of it
  4. rush — hurry
  5. snap — to click
  6. spring — the season
  7. rush — a thrill
  8. suit — in cards
  9. safe — out of danger
  10. suit — clothes
  11. spring — of water
  12. snap — to speak sharply
  13. suit — to fit
  14. wave — of the sea
  15. safe — a strongbox
  16. wave — with your hand
  17. racket — for tennis
  18. wave — a sudden rise
  19. safe — out of danger
  20. trunk — of a car
  21. rush — to hurry
  22. trunk — of an elephant
  23. racket — for tennis
  24. racket — a loud noise

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