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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. Champaud competed in the parallel bars, ________________, and pommel horse events.
  2. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.
  3. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  4. Michael Jackson and Prince changed the history of ________________ music.
  5. The teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.
  6. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  7. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  8. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  9. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  10. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  11. You don't need to ________________ round.
  12. Did you ________________ the meat?
  13. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.
  14. We're almost out of ________________.
  15. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  16. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  17. That was ________________ to happen.
  18. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  19. The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.
  20. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  21. We're on a ________________ here.
  22. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  23. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  24. Spring is a pleasant ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. vault — in gymnastics
  2. vault — a safe
  3. bear — to put up with
  4. pop — music
  5. roll — a list
  6. season — in sport
  7. bound — obliged
  8. rock — a stone
  9. bear — the animal
  10. bore — gave birth
  11. pop — to visit
  12. season — to add flavour
  13. roll — a cake
  14. pop — soda
  15. rock — to move gently
  16. bound — tied together
  17. bound — certain
  18. bear — the animal
  19. vault — an arched ceiling
  20. bore — to tire
  21. roll — on a roll
  22. bore — to drill
  23. rock — music
  24. season — of the year

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