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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. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  4. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  5. False peace will not ________________.
  6. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.
  7. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  8. At ________________, we arrived at the village.
  9. When will it ________________ you to start?
  10. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  11. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  12. Many English words ________________ from Latin.
  13. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  14. Scientists study ________________ cells to repair damaged tissue.
  15. Today is the ________________ day of the holidays. Back to school tomorrow!
  16. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  17. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  18. The big green plant was starting to droop at the ________________.
  19. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  20. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  21. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  22. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  23. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  24. Should I buy a wireless ________________?

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. lie — an untruth
  4. lash — a whip stroke
  5. last — to go on
  6. vault — a safe
  7. track — to keep track
  8. last — finally
  9. suit — to fit
  10. mouse — the animal
  11. lie — to recline
  12. stem — to come from
  13. track — a song
  14. stem — a stem cell
  15. last — final
  16. suit — in cards
  17. lie — an untruth
  18. stem — of a plant
  19. track — a path
  20. lash — an eyelash
  21. suit — clothes
  22. lash — to lash out
  23. mouse — the animal
  24. mouse — for a computer

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