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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: mate · trunk · ruler · coach · scale · firm · plane · mark

  1. The elephant has a huge ________________.
  2. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  3. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  4. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  5. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  6. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  7. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  8. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  9. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  10. Have you found your soul ________________?
  11. The ________________ took off on time.
  12. The tree's ________________ was scarred by lightning strikes.
  13. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  14. Have you met the new head ________________?
  15. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  16. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  17. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  18. I've got the luggage in my ________________.
  19. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  20. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  21. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  22. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  23. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  24. She got the top ________________ in the exam.

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

Answer key

  1. trunk — of an elephant
  2. mark — to pay attention
  3. plane — in geometry
  4. firm — steady
  5. firm — decided
  6. scale — in music
  7. ruler — for measuring
  8. scale — size or range
  9. mate — to breed
  10. mate — a partner
  11. plane — an aircraft
  12. trunk — of a tree
  13. coach — a trainer
  14. coach — a trainer
  15. mark — a trace
  16. coach — pulled by horses
  17. ruler — a monarch
  18. trunk — of a car
  19. ruler — for measuring
  20. firm — a company
  21. mate — a friend
  22. scale — for weighing
  23. plane — a tool
  24. mark — a grade

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