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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: trunk · object · dip · mark · nail · current · bowl · mate

  1. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  2. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  3. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  4. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  5. The elephant has a huge ________________.
  6. I've got the luggage in my ________________.
  7. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  8. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  9. The tree's ________________ was scarred by lightning strikes.
  10. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  11. The ________________ went through the wall.
  12. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  13. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  14. Have you found your soul ________________?
  15. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  16. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  17. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  18. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  19. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  20. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  21. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  22. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  23. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  24. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.

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

Answer key

  1. bowl — a football final
  2. mark — a grade
  3. mark — a trace
  4. object — a thing
  5. trunk — of an elephant
  6. trunk — of a car
  7. mate — a friend
  8. object — an aim
  9. trunk — of a tree
  10. bowl — to roll
  11. nail — for a hammer
  12. current — electric
  13. object — to protest
  14. mate — a partner
  15. nail — on a finger
  16. mark — to pay attention
  17. current — happening now
  18. dip — a sauce
  19. bowl — a dish
  20. current — of water
  21. nail — for a hammer
  22. dip — to sink
  23. mate — to breed
  24. dip — to dunk

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