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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. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  2. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  3. The ________________ went through the wall.
  4. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  5. Champaud competed in the parallel bars, ________________, and pommel horse events.
  6. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.
  7. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  8. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  9. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  10. Roulette is a ________________ of chance.
  11. The pointer is employed to find upland ________________.
  12. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  13. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  14. The players ran onto the football ________________.
  15. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  16. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  17. That must've been a ________________.
  18. The room was ________________ black, so I couldn't see a thing.
  19. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  20. The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.
  21. That was a fun ________________.
  22. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  23. She's preparing to ________________ her idea to the investors.
  24. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.

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

Answer key

  1. can — a tin
  2. firm — a company
  3. nail — for a hammer
  4. nail — for a hammer
  5. vault — in gymnastics
  6. vault — a safe
  7. fine — a penalty
  8. nail — on a finger
  9. can — to be able to
  10. game — a kind of play
  11. game — wild animals
  12. can — a tin
  13. rush — hurry
  14. pitch — a sports field
  15. fine — all right
  16. firm — steady
  17. rush — a thrill
  18. pitch — completely
  19. firm — decided
  20. vault — an arched ceiling
  21. game — a match
  22. rush — to hurry
  23. pitch — a sales talk
  24. fine — high quality

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