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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. Champaud competed in the parallel bars, ________________, and pommel horse events.
  2. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  3. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  4. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  5. The King held a masked ________________.
  6. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  7. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  8. There's no middle ________________.
  9. The ________________ was covered with snow, as far as the eye could see.
  10. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  11. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  12. Add some ________________ pepper to it.
  13. The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.
  14. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.
  15. Have you found your soul ________________?
  16. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  17. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  18. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  19. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  20. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  21. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  22. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  23. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  24. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.

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

Answer key

  1. vault — in gymnastics
  2. rock — a stone
  3. mate — to breed
  4. cue — for pool
  5. ball — a dance
  6. current — happening now
  7. scale — for weighing
  8. ground — a position
  9. ground — the earth
  10. cue — a signal
  11. rock — to move gently
  12. ground — crushed
  13. vault — an arched ceiling
  14. vault — a safe
  15. mate — a partner
  16. ball — a round shape
  17. current — electric
  18. current — of water
  19. rock — music
  20. cue — a hint
  21. scale — in music
  22. mate — a friend
  23. scale — size or range
  24. ball — a great time

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