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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.

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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: can · calf · trunk · spring · nail · mark · craft · saw

  1. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  2. Flower arranging is a traditional ________________ in Japan.
  3. The tree's ________________ was scarred by lightning strikes.
  4. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  5. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  6. The elephant has a huge ________________.
  7. There's a broken ________________ in the bed.
  8. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  9. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  10. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  11. I've got the luggage in my ________________.
  12. The hotel is built around a mineral ________________.
  13. She's very handy with a ________________.
  14. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  15. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  16. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  17. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  18. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  19. Small ________________ should stay in the harbor during the storm.
  20. He works in a ________________ mill.
  21. The flowers bloom in the ________________.
  22. The ________________ went through the wall.
  23. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  24. He spent years learning his ________________ as a carpenter.

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

Answer key

  1. saw — past of 'see'
  2. craft — a handicraft
  3. trunk — of a tree
  4. can — to be able to
  5. mark — a trace
  6. trunk — of an elephant
  7. spring — a coil
  8. calf — of the leg
  9. mark — a grade
  10. calf — a young animal
  11. trunk — of a car
  12. spring — of water
  13. saw — the tool
  14. nail — on a finger
  15. can — a tin
  16. calf — a young animal
  17. can — a tin
  18. nail — for a hammer
  19. craft — boats
  20. saw — the tool
  21. spring — the season
  22. nail — for a hammer
  23. mark — to pay attention
  24. craft — a skill

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