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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 116 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 · can · mouse · bat · cue · ruler · mug · stick

  1. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  2. The elephant has a huge ________________.
  3. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  4. Where did you ________________ them?
  5. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  6. I've got the luggage in my ________________.
  7. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  8. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  9. The ________________ was stolen yesterday, along with the balls.
  10. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  11. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  12. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  13. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  14. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  15. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  16. Tom didn't even ________________ an eye.
  17. The ________________ hangs upside down in the cave.
  18. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  19. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  20. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  21. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  22. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  23. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  24. The tree's ________________ was scarred by lightning strikes.

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — a monarch
  2. trunk — of an elephant
  3. can — a tin
  4. mug — to rob
  5. mouse — the animal
  6. trunk — of a car
  7. cue — for pool
  8. cue — a signal
  9. bat — for baseball
  10. ruler — for measuring
  11. stick — a piece of wood
  12. mouse — for a computer
  13. stick — to attach or keep to
  14. mug — a face
  15. can — a tin
  16. bat — in an idiom
  17. bat — the animal
  18. stick — a piece of wood
  19. ruler — for measuring
  20. can — to be able to
  21. mouse — the animal
  22. mug — a cup
  23. cue — a hint
  24. trunk — of a tree

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