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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. The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.
  2. The tree's ________________ was scarred by lightning strikes.
  3. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  4. She had a strange look on her ________________.
  5. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  6. Our bedroom windows ________________ the sea.
  7. Because of the accident, he'll have a limp for the ________________ of his life.
  8. I would like to have a ________________ here.
  9. Sooner or later you'll have to ________________ the truth.
  10. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  11. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  12. The tickets are free of ________________.
  13. The ________________ of the members were all out of tune.
  14. The elephant has a huge ________________.
  15. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  16. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  17. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  18. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  19. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  20. What do you think of the new ________________?
  21. I've got the luggage in my ________________.
  22. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.
  23. That must've been a ________________.
  24. Champaud competed in the parallel bars, ________________, and pommel horse events.

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

Answer key

  1. vault — an arched ceiling
  2. trunk — of a tree
  3. perch — for a bird
  4. face — part of the head
  5. perch — for a bird
  6. face — to point toward
  7. rest — what's left
  8. rest — a break
  9. face — to confront
  10. cabinet — a cupboard
  11. rush — hurry
  12. charge — a price
  13. rest — what's left
  14. trunk — of an elephant
  15. rush — to hurry
  16. charge — in control
  17. cabinet — ministers
  18. perch — the fish
  19. charge — electricity
  20. cabinet — ministers
  21. trunk — of a car
  22. vault — a safe
  23. rush — a thrill
  24. vault — in gymnastics

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