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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. We came to a ________________ in the road and had no idea which direction to go.
  3. His birthday is in either ________________ or April.
  4. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  5. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  6. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  7. Use a garden ________________ to turn the soil.
  8. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  9. The light ________________ burned out.
  10. I've got to change the light ________________.
  11. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  12. When was this ________________ built?
  13. The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.
  14. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  15. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  16. The band played a military ________________ at the parade.
  17. We usually eat with a knife, ________________ and spoon.
  18. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.
  19. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  20. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  21. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  22. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  23. We will have lived in Kyoto for eight years next ________________.
  24. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.

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

Answer key

  1. vault — in gymnastics
  2. fork — in a road
  3. march — the month
  4. toast — the most admired
  5. can — a tin
  6. toast — a drink to someone
  7. fork — a garden tool
  8. can — to be able to
  9. bulb — for light
  10. bulb — for light
  11. bulb — of a plant
  12. temple — a place of worship
  13. vault — an arched ceiling
  14. fan — to cool the air
  15. toast — bread
  16. march — music
  17. fork — to eat with
  18. vault — a safe
  19. temple — a place of worship
  20. can — a tin
  21. temple — side of the head
  22. fan — a supporter
  23. march — the month
  24. fan — a supporter

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