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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.

Make a worksheet

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 in each sentence. Each word is used more than once, with a different meaning each time.

  1. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  2. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  3. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  4. I can't ________________ this cold.
  5. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  6. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  7. The King held a masked ________________.
  8. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  9. The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.
  10. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  11. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  12. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  13. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  14. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  15. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.
  16. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  17. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  18. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  19. Champaud competed in the parallel bars, ________________, and pommel horse events.
  20. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  21. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  22. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  23. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  24. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.

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

Answer key

  1. fine — a penalty
  2. stick — to attach or keep to
  3. foot — the bottom
  4. stand — to bear
  5. deal — to handle
  6. foot — a measure
  7. ball — a dance
  8. foot — part of the body
  9. vault — an arched ceiling
  10. stick — a piece of wood
  11. toast — bread
  12. toast — the most admired
  13. fine — high quality
  14. toast — a drink to someone
  15. vault — a safe
  16. stick — a piece of wood
  17. fine — all right
  18. deal — an agreement
  19. vault — in gymnastics
  20. ball — a round shape
  21. stand — for spectators
  22. deal — a big deal
  23. stand — on your feet
  24. ball — a great time

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