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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 120 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. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  3. We ________________ up on opposing sides.
  4. The tree's ________________ was scarred by lightning strikes.
  5. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  6. The supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.
  7. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  8. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  9. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  10. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.
  11. He works in a ________________ mill.
  12. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  13. I've got the luggage in my ________________.
  14. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  15. The elephant has a huge ________________.
  16. She's very handy with a ________________.
  17. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  18. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  19. This looks like a gunshot ________________.
  20. The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.
  21. The ________________ market has crashed.
  22. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  23. It's not a deep ________________. It's just a scratch.
  24. What's the difference between broth and ________________?

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

Answer key

  1. vault — in gymnastics
  2. can — to be able to
  3. wound — past of 'wind'
  4. trunk — of a tree
  5. lash — an eyelash
  6. stock — goods
  7. mark — to pay attention
  8. saw — past of 'see'
  9. can — a tin
  10. vault — a safe
  11. saw — the tool
  12. lash — a whip stroke
  13. trunk — of a car
  14. mark — a grade
  15. trunk — of an elephant
  16. saw — the tool
  17. can — a tin
  18. lash — to lash out
  19. wound — an injury
  20. vault — an arched ceiling
  21. stock — shares
  22. mark — a trace
  23. wound — an injury
  24. stock — a soup base

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