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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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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. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  2. Champaud competed in the parallel bars, ________________, and pommel horse events.
  3. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  4. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  5. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  6. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  7. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  8. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  9. He spent years learning his ________________ as a carpenter.
  10. Small ________________ should stay in the harbor during the storm.
  11. Did you ________________ the meat?
  12. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.
  13. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  14. How do you ________________ your surname?
  15. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  16. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  17. Flower arranging is a traditional ________________ in Japan.
  18. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  19. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  20. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  21. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  22. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  23. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  24. The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.

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

Answer key

  1. dip — to sink
  2. vault — in gymnastics
  3. stick — to attach or keep to
  4. foot — a measure
  5. track — a song
  6. spell — magic
  7. foot — part of the body
  8. track — to keep track
  9. craft — a skill
  10. craft — boats
  11. season — to add flavour
  12. vault — a safe
  13. season — of the year
  14. spell — letters
  15. stick — a piece of wood
  16. track — a path
  17. craft — a handicraft
  18. dip — a sauce
  19. season — in sport
  20. stick — a piece of wood
  21. foot — the bottom
  22. dip — to dunk
  23. spell — a short time
  24. vault — an arched ceiling

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