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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.

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: bowl · rock · can · cue · coach · trunk · plane · mug

  1. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  2. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  3. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  4. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  5. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  6. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  7. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  8. The ________________ took off on time.
  9. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  10. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  11. The elephant has a huge ________________.
  12. Have you met the new head ________________?
  13. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  14. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  15. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  16. I've got the luggage in my ________________.
  17. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  18. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  19. Where did you ________________ them?
  20. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  21. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  22. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  23. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  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. can — to be able to
  2. coach — pulled by horses
  3. coach — a trainer
  4. can — a tin
  5. plane — a tool
  6. rock — to move gently
  7. rock — music
  8. plane — an aircraft
  9. rock — a stone
  10. bowl — a football final
  11. trunk — of an elephant
  12. coach — a trainer
  13. can — a tin
  14. plane — in geometry
  15. bowl — a dish
  16. trunk — of a car
  17. mug — a face
  18. cue — a hint
  19. mug — to rob
  20. cue — for pool
  21. mug — a cup
  22. bowl — to roll
  23. cue — a signal
  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