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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. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  2. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.
  3. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  4. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  5. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  6. Champaud competed in the parallel bars, ________________, and pommel horse events.
  7. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  8. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  9. What do you think of the new ________________?
  10. The ________________ went through the wall.
  11. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  12. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  13. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  14. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  15. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  16. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  17. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  18. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  19. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  20. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  21. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  22. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  23. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  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. cabinet — a cupboard
  2. vault — a safe
  3. bear — the animal
  4. bear — to put up with
  5. cabinet — ministers
  6. vault — in gymnastics
  7. can — a tin
  8. calf — a young animal
  9. cabinet — ministers
  10. nail — for a hammer
  11. ruler — for measuring
  12. calf — of the leg
  13. can — to be able to
  14. nail — for a hammer
  15. ruler — a monarch
  16. calf — a young animal
  17. current — electric
  18. ruler — for measuring
  19. bear — the animal
  20. current — happening now
  21. current — of water
  22. can — a tin
  23. nail — on a finger
  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