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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 124 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 kitten curled into a ________________.
  2. The tree's ________________ was scarred by lightning strikes.
  3. The King held a masked ________________.
  4. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  5. Champaud competed in the parallel bars, ________________, and pommel horse events.
  6. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  7. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  8. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  9. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  10. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  11. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  12. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.
  13. The elephant has a huge ________________.
  14. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  15. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  16. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  17. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  18. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  19. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  20. I've got the luggage in my ________________.
  21. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  22. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  23. The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.
  24. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.

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

Answer key

  1. ball — a round shape
  2. trunk — of a tree
  3. ball — a dance
  4. bear — the animal
  5. vault — in gymnastics
  6. bear — to put up with
  7. jam — a tight spot
  8. bowl — to roll
  9. rock — to move gently
  10. firm — steady
  11. firm — a company
  12. vault — a safe
  13. trunk — of an elephant
  14. rock — a stone
  15. jam — in traffic
  16. bowl — a dish
  17. bear — the animal
  18. jam — to spread on bread
  19. rock — music
  20. trunk — of a car
  21. bowl — a football final
  22. ball — a great time
  23. vault — an arched ceiling
  24. firm — decided

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