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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 116 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. Champaud competed in the parallel bars, ________________, and pommel horse events.
  2. The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.
  3. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  4. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  5. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  6. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  7. This piece is in a major ________________.
  8. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  9. Today is the ________________ day of the holidays. Back to school tomorrow!
  10. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  11. At ________________, we arrived at the village.
  12. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  13. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  14. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  15. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  16. Have you met the new head ________________?
  17. What do you think of the new ________________?
  18. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  19. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  20. False peace will not ________________.
  21. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  22. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.
  23. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  24. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.

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

Answer key

  1. vault — in gymnastics
  2. vault — an arched ceiling
  3. coach — a trainer
  4. key — the most important part
  5. cabinet — a cupboard
  6. mark — a trace
  7. key — in music
  8. key — for a lock
  9. last — final
  10. object — an aim
  11. last — finally
  12. hide — to keep secret
  13. hide — to keep secret
  14. coach — pulled by horses
  15. mark — to pay attention
  16. coach — a trainer
  17. cabinet — ministers
  18. hide — animal skin
  19. object — to protest
  20. last — to go on
  21. object — a thing
  22. vault — a safe
  23. mark — a grade
  24. cabinet — ministers

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