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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: jam · trunk · coach · toast · suit · pitcher · plane · mug

  1. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  2. I've got the luggage in my ________________.
  3. When will it ________________ you to start?
  4. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  5. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  6. Where did you ________________ them?
  7. He is an ace ________________.
  8. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  9. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  10. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  11. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  12. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  13. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  14. Have you met the new head ________________?
  15. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  16. The tree's ________________ was scarred by lightning strikes.
  17. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  18. The ________________ took off on time.
  19. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  20. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  21. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  22. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  23. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  24. The elephant has a huge ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. coach — a trainer
  2. trunk — of a car
  3. suit — to fit
  4. mug — a cup
  5. pitcher — a jug
  6. mug — to rob
  7. pitcher — in baseball
  8. toast — the most admired
  9. suit — in cards
  10. pitcher — a jug
  11. plane — in geometry
  12. jam — to spread on bread
  13. jam — in traffic
  14. coach — a trainer
  15. coach — pulled by horses
  16. trunk — of a tree
  17. toast — bread
  18. plane — an aircraft
  19. mug — a face
  20. plane — a tool
  21. suit — clothes
  22. toast — a drink to someone
  23. jam — a tight spot
  24. trunk — of an elephant

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