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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 ________________ took off on time.
  3. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  4. The supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.
  5. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  6. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  7. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  8. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  9. The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.
  10. What do you think of the new ________________?
  11. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  12. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  13. What's the difference between broth and ________________?
  14. How do you ________________ your surname?
  15. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  16. The ________________ market has crashed.
  17. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  18. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  19. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  20. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  21. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  22. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  23. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  24. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. vault — in gymnastics
  2. plane — an aircraft
  3. board — a committee
  4. stock — goods
  5. mark — a trace
  6. plane — a tool
  7. cabinet — a cupboard
  8. board — a flat piece
  9. vault — an arched ceiling
  10. cabinet — ministers
  11. board — to get on
  12. cabinet — ministers
  13. stock — a soup base
  14. spell — letters
  15. spell — a short time
  16. stock — shares
  17. mark — to pay attention
  18. calf — a young animal
  19. spell — magic
  20. calf — of the leg
  21. mark — a grade
  22. plane — in geometry
  23. calf — a young animal
  24. vault — a safe

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