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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. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  2. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  3. The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.
  4. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  5. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  6. Champaud competed in the parallel bars, ________________, and pommel horse events.
  7. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  8. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  9. The elephant has a huge ________________.
  10. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  11. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.
  12. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  13. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  14. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  15. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  16. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  17. The tree's ________________ was scarred by lightning strikes.
  18. He works in a ________________ mill.
  19. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  20. I've got the luggage in my ________________.
  21. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  22. She's very handy with a ________________.
  23. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  24. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.

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

Answer key

  1. rock — to move gently
  2. hide — to keep secret
  3. vault — an arched ceiling
  4. cue — a hint
  5. saw — past of 'see'
  6. vault — in gymnastics
  7. bank — of a river
  8. cue — for pool
  9. trunk — of an elephant
  10. rock — music
  11. vault — a safe
  12. hide — to keep secret
  13. safe — a strongbox
  14. bank — for money
  15. rock — a stone
  16. cue — a signal
  17. trunk — of a tree
  18. saw — the tool
  19. hide — animal skin
  20. trunk — of a car
  21. bank — for money
  22. saw — the tool
  23. safe — out of danger
  24. safe — out of danger

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