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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. Champaud competed in the parallel bars, ________________, and pommel horse events.
  2. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  3. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  4. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.
  5. The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.
  6. The ________________ market has crashed.
  7. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  8. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  9. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  10. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  11. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  12. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  13. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  14. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  15. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  16. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  17. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  18. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  19. What's the difference between broth and ________________?
  20. Did you ________________ the meat?
  21. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  22. The supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.
  23. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  24. That must've been a ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. vault — in gymnastics
  2. board — to get on
  3. mouse — for a computer
  4. vault — a safe
  5. vault — an arched ceiling
  6. stock — shares
  7. wax — to grow
  8. wax — in the ear
  9. wax — for sculpting
  10. mouse — the animal
  11. toast — the most admired
  12. board — a committee
  13. toast — bread
  14. season — in sport
  15. mouse — the animal
  16. season — of the year
  17. rush — to hurry
  18. toast — a drink to someone
  19. stock — a soup base
  20. season — to add flavour
  21. rush — hurry
  22. stock — goods
  23. board — a flat piece
  24. rush — a thrill

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