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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 120 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: bore · racket · key · cue · mug · charge · trunk · chair

  1. The tree's ________________ was scarred by lightning strikes.
  2. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  3. Where did you ________________ them?
  4. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  5. Professor Sir Peter Hirsch formerly held the ________________.
  6. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  7. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  8. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  9. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  10. The tickets are free of ________________.
  11. James Baker serves as an Honorary Co-________________ for the World Justice Project.
  12. This piece is in a major ________________.
  13. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  14. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  15. I put the bag on or beside the ________________.
  16. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  17. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  18. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  19. I've got the luggage in my ________________.
  20. The elephant has a huge ________________.
  21. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  22. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  23. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  24. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.

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

Answer key

  1. trunk — of a tree
  2. racket — for tennis
  3. mug — to rob
  4. cue — a hint
  5. chair — a professorship
  6. racket — for tennis
  7. key — for a lock
  8. bore — to tire
  9. charge — electricity
  10. charge — a price
  11. chair — a leader
  12. key — in music
  13. racket — a loud noise
  14. bore — gave birth
  15. chair — to sit on
  16. cue — a signal
  17. charge — in control
  18. mug — a cup
  19. trunk — of a car
  20. trunk — of an elephant
  21. mug — a face
  22. key — the most important part
  23. cue — for pool
  24. bore — to drill

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