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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.

Make a worksheet

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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Word bank
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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. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.
  3. Champaud competed in the parallel bars, ________________, and pommel horse events.
  4. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  5. Where did you ________________ them?
  6. Roulette is a ________________ of chance.
  7. The pointer is employed to find upland ________________.
  8. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  9. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  10. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  11. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  12. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  13. This piece is in a major ________________.
  14. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  15. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  16. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  17. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  18. That was a fun ________________.
  19. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  20. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  21. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  22. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  23. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  24. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.

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

Answer key

  1. vault — an arched ceiling
  2. vault — a safe
  3. vault — in gymnastics
  4. dip — to sink
  5. mug — to rob
  6. game — a kind of play
  7. game — wild animals
  8. pit — in a race
  9. dip — to dunk
  10. fan — to cool the air
  11. fine — high quality
  12. key — for a lock
  13. key — in music
  14. fine — a penalty
  15. key — the most important part
  16. pit — a fruit stone
  17. fan — a supporter
  18. game — a match
  19. pit — a hole
  20. mug — a cup
  21. fine — all right
  22. fan — a supporter
  23. dip — a sauce
  24. mug — a face

Multiple-meaning words list

Tick up to 10 words to build a worksheet with just those words.

Make a worksheet (0 words)

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