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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 hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  2. The ________________ went through the wall.
  3. The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.
  4. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  5. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  6. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  7. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  8. Where did you ________________ them?
  9. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  10. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  11. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  12. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  13. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  14. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  15. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  16. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  17. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  18. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  19. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  20. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.
  21. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  22. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  23. Champaud competed in the parallel bars, ________________, and pommel horse events.
  24. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?

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

Answer key

  1. lie — to recline
  2. nail — for a hammer
  3. vault — an arched ceiling
  4. mug — a cup
  5. branch — of a bank
  6. lie — an untruth
  7. branch — a division
  8. mug — to rob
  9. lie — an untruth
  10. safe — a strongbox
  11. safe — out of danger
  12. rock — a stone
  13. wave — of the sea
  14. branch — of a tree
  15. rock — to move gently
  16. nail — on a finger
  17. wave — with your hand
  18. wave — a sudden rise
  19. mug — a face
  20. vault — a safe
  21. safe — out of danger
  22. nail — for a hammer
  23. vault — in gymnastics
  24. rock — music

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