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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
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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: trunk · mouse · staff · game · hide · temple · can · object

  1. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  2. When was this ________________ built?
  3. The pointer is employed to find upland ________________.
  4. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  5. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  6. That was a fun ________________.
  7. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  8. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  9. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  10. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  11. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  12. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  13. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  14. The tree's ________________ was scarred by lightning strikes.
  15. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  16. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  17. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  18. I've got the luggage in my ________________.
  19. The elephant has a huge ________________.
  20. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  21. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  22. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  23. Roulette is a ________________ of chance.
  24. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?

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

Answer key

  1. staff — a stick
  2. temple — a place of worship
  3. game — wild animals
  4. mouse — for a computer
  5. can — a tin
  6. game — a match
  7. hide — to keep secret
  8. hide — to keep secret
  9. mouse — the animal
  10. temple — side of the head
  11. object — a thing
  12. staff — employees
  13. can — a tin
  14. trunk — of a tree
  15. staff — employees
  16. object — an aim
  17. temple — a place of worship
  18. trunk — of a car
  19. trunk — of an elephant
  20. mouse — the animal
  21. hide — animal skin
  22. can — to be able to
  23. game — a kind of play
  24. object — to protest

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