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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.

Words on the sheet
468
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: mug · wax · game · trunk · key · plane · current · mouse

  1. The tree's ________________ was scarred by lightning strikes.
  2. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  3. That was a fun ________________.
  4. The elephant has a huge ________________.
  5. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  6. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  7. This piece is in a major ________________.
  8. The pointer is employed to find upland ________________.
  9. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  10. Roulette is a ________________ of chance.
  11. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  12. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  13. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  14. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  15. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  16. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  17. The ________________ took off on time.
  18. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  19. I've got the luggage in my ________________.
  20. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  21. Where did you ________________ them?
  22. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  23. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  24. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?

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

Answer key

  1. trunk — of a tree
  2. mug — a cup
  3. game — a match
  4. trunk — of an elephant
  5. current — electric
  6. current — happening now
  7. key — in music
  8. game — wild animals
  9. key — the most important part
  10. game — a kind of play
  11. wax — in the ear
  12. mouse — the animal
  13. wax — for sculpting
  14. mouse — for a computer
  15. mug — a face
  16. current — of water
  17. plane — an aircraft
  18. plane — in geometry
  19. trunk — of a car
  20. plane — a tool
  21. mug — to rob
  22. wax — to grow
  23. mouse — the animal
  24. key — for a lock

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