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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
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: trunk · rock · mouse · root · season · wax · saw · cue

  1. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  2. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  3. I've got the luggage in my ________________.
  4. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  5. The tree's ________________ was scarred by lightning strikes.
  6. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  7. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  8. Did you ________________ the meat?
  9. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  10. He works in a ________________ mill.
  11. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  12. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  13. She's very handy with a ________________.
  14. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  15. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  16. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  17. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  18. The elephant has a huge ________________.
  19. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  20. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  21. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  22. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  23. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  24. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?

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

Answer key

  1. cue — for pool
  2. wax — to grow
  3. trunk — of a car
  4. season — of the year
  5. trunk — of a tree
  6. rock — a stone
  7. season — in sport
  8. season — to add flavour
  9. root — the cause
  10. saw — the tool
  11. root — of a plant
  12. cue — a hint
  13. saw — the tool
  14. root — of a word
  15. wax — for sculpting
  16. mouse — the animal
  17. saw — past of 'see'
  18. trunk — of an elephant
  19. wax — in the ear
  20. mouse — for a computer
  21. rock — to move gently
  22. mouse — the animal
  23. cue — a signal
  24. rock — music

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