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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. The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.
  2. What's the difference between broth and ________________?
  3. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  4. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  5. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  6. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  7. The supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.
  8. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.
  9. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  10. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  11. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  12. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  13. Champaud competed in the parallel bars, ________________, and pommel horse events.
  14. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  15. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  16. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  17. Where did you ________________ them?
  18. The ________________ took off on time.
  19. The ________________ market has crashed.
  20. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  21. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  22. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  23. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  24. The ________________ change colour in autumn.

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

Answer key

  1. vault — an arched ceiling
  2. stock — a soup base
  3. scale — size or range
  4. mug — a cup
  5. scale — for weighing
  6. plane — in geometry
  7. stock — goods
  8. vault — a safe
  9. board — a flat piece
  10. plane — a tool
  11. board — to get on
  12. safe — out of danger
  13. vault — in gymnastics
  14. leaves — to go away
  15. leaves — lets stay
  16. board — a committee
  17. mug — to rob
  18. plane — an aircraft
  19. stock — shares
  20. scale — in music
  21. safe — out of danger
  22. mug — a face
  23. safe — a strongbox
  24. leaves — of a tree

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