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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. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  3. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  4. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  5. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  6. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  7. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  8. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  9. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  10. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  11. She's sitting on a gold ________________.
  12. The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.
  13. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  14. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  15. He works in a ________________ mill.
  16. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  17. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.
  18. He was blown up by a land ________________.
  19. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  20. I met an old friend of ________________ the other day.
  21. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  22. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  23. She's very handy with a ________________.
  24. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. vault — in gymnastics
  2. saw — past of 'see'
  3. deal — to handle
  4. bank — of a river
  5. deal — an agreement
  6. racket — for tennis
  7. racket — for tennis
  8. perch — the fish
  9. bank — for money
  10. fine — high quality
  11. mine — for digging
  12. vault — an arched ceiling
  13. bank — for money
  14. deal — a big deal
  15. saw — the tool
  16. perch — for a bird
  17. vault — a safe
  18. mine — an explosive
  19. perch — for a bird
  20. mine — belonging to me
  21. fine — all right
  22. fine — a penalty
  23. saw — the tool
  24. racket — a loud noise

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