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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 124 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. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  2. Champaud competed in the parallel bars, ________________, and pommel horse events.
  3. We had a fire ________________ at school today.
  4. I need a ________________ to install the towel rack.
  5. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  6. The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.
  7. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  8. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  9. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  10. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  11. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  12. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  13. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  14. I've got to change the light ________________.
  15. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  16. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  17. Did you ________________ the meat?
  18. I can't ________________ this cold.
  19. The soldiers did ________________ on the parade ground every morning.
  20. The light ________________ burned out.
  21. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  22. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  23. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  24. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. bass — low music
  2. vault — in gymnastics
  3. drill — a practice
  4. drill — the tool
  5. bass — the fish
  6. vault — an arched ceiling
  7. safe — out of danger
  8. safe — a strongbox
  9. season — of the year
  10. bass — the instrument
  11. stand — on your feet
  12. rock — a stone
  13. season — in sport
  14. bulb — for light
  15. stand — for spectators
  16. safe — out of danger
  17. season — to add flavour
  18. stand — to bear
  19. drill — army training
  20. bulb — for light
  21. rock — music
  22. bulb — of a plant
  23. rock — to move gently
  24. vault — a safe

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