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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. I would like to have a ________________ here.
  2. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  3. When will it ________________ you to start?
  4. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  5. Champaud competed in the parallel bars, ________________, and pommel horse events.
  6. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  7. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  8. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  9. The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.
  10. The ________________ of the members were all out of tune.
  11. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  12. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  13. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  14. This piece is in a major ________________.
  15. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  16. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  17. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  18. That must've been a ________________.
  19. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.
  20. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  21. Because of the accident, he'll have a limp for the ________________ of his life.
  22. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  23. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  24. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.

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

Answer key

  1. rest — a break
  2. pit — in a race
  3. suit — to fit
  4. pit — a fruit stone
  5. vault — in gymnastics
  6. board — a committee
  7. key — the most important part
  8. pit — a hole
  9. vault — an arched ceiling
  10. rest — what's left
  11. board — a flat piece
  12. rock — to move gently
  13. rock — music
  14. key — in music
  15. suit — in cards
  16. key — for a lock
  17. rush — to hurry
  18. rush — a thrill
  19. vault — a safe
  20. rush — hurry
  21. rest — what's left
  22. suit — clothes
  23. rock — a stone
  24. board — to get on

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