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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. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  2. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  3. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  4. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  5. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  6. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  7. She's very handy with a ________________.
  8. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  9. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  10. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  11. He works in a ________________ mill.
  12. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  13. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  14. Champaud competed in the parallel bars, ________________, and pommel horse events.
  15. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  16. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  17. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  18. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.
  19. Have you met the new head ________________?
  20. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  21. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  22. The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.
  23. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  24. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. saw — past of 'see'
  2. coach — a trainer
  3. racket — for tennis
  4. ruler — a monarch
  5. ruler — for measuring
  6. can — a tin
  7. saw — the tool
  8. can — a tin
  9. coach — pulled by horses
  10. mouse — the animal
  11. saw — the tool
  12. racket — a loud noise
  13. fan — a supporter
  14. vault — in gymnastics
  15. fan — a supporter
  16. ruler — for measuring
  17. racket — for tennis
  18. vault — a safe
  19. coach — a trainer
  20. mouse — for a computer
  21. can — to be able to
  22. vault — an arched ceiling
  23. fan — to cool the air
  24. mouse — the animal

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