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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. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  2. She's preparing to ________________ her idea to the investors.
  3. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  4. Champaud competed in the parallel bars, ________________, and pommel horse events.
  5. The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.
  6. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  7. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  8. He works in a ________________ mill.
  9. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  10. When was this ________________ built?
  11. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.
  12. She's very handy with a ________________.
  13. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  14. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  15. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  16. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  17. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  18. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  19. The room was ________________ black, so I couldn't see a thing.
  20. When will it ________________ you to start?
  21. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  22. The players ran onto the football ________________.
  23. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  24. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.

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

Answer key

  1. stick — a piece of wood
  2. pitch — a sales talk
  3. temple — side of the head
  4. vault — in gymnastics
  5. vault — an arched ceiling
  6. foot — the bottom
  7. suit — in cards
  8. saw — the tool
  9. foot — a measure
  10. temple — a place of worship
  11. vault — a safe
  12. saw — the tool
  13. can — a tin
  14. temple — a place of worship
  15. can — a tin
  16. stick — a piece of wood
  17. stick — to attach or keep to
  18. saw — past of 'see'
  19. pitch — completely
  20. suit — to fit
  21. foot — part of the body
  22. pitch — a sports field
  23. can — to be able to
  24. suit — clothes

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