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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: foot · bear · calf · wave · trunk · ruler · rock · fine

  1. The tree's ________________ was scarred by lightning strikes.
  2. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  3. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  4. I've got the luggage in my ________________.
  5. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  6. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  7. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  8. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  9. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  10. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  11. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  12. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  13. The elephant has a huge ________________.
  14. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  15. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  16. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  17. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  18. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  19. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  20. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  21. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  22. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  23. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  24. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.

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

Answer key

  1. trunk — of a tree
  2. wave — of the sea
  3. rock — a stone
  4. trunk — of a car
  5. bear — the animal
  6. ruler — for measuring
  7. fine — high quality
  8. calf — a young animal
  9. ruler — for measuring
  10. bear — to put up with
  11. foot — the bottom
  12. foot — part of the body
  13. trunk — of an elephant
  14. calf — of the leg
  15. foot — a measure
  16. ruler — a monarch
  17. bear — the animal
  18. fine — all right
  19. rock — music
  20. wave — with your hand
  21. calf — a young animal
  22. rock — to move gently
  23. fine — a penalty
  24. wave — a sudden rise

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