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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. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  2. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  3. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  4. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  5. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  6. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  7. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.
  8. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  9. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  10. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  11. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  12. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  13. Add some ________________ pepper to it.
  14. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  15. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  16. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  17. There's no middle ________________.
  18. The ________________ was covered with snow, as far as the eye could see.
  19. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  20. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  21. Champaud competed in the parallel bars, ________________, and pommel horse events.
  22. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  23. The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.
  24. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.

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

Answer key

  1. leaves — lets stay
  2. can — a tin
  3. leaves — of a tree
  4. rock — music
  5. bank — for money
  6. fan — to cool the air
  7. vault — a safe
  8. safe — a strongbox
  9. rock — to move gently
  10. rock — a stone
  11. fan — a supporter
  12. bank — of a river
  13. ground — crushed
  14. leaves — to go away
  15. bank — for money
  16. can — a tin
  17. ground — a position
  18. ground — the earth
  19. can — to be able to
  20. fan — a supporter
  21. vault — in gymnastics
  22. safe — out of danger
  23. vault — an arched ceiling
  24. safe — out of danger

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