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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. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  2. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  3. Winning one ________________ isn't the same as dominating a sport.
  4. The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.
  5. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.
  6. Atomic bombs are a danger to the human ________________.
  7. Champaud competed in the parallel bars, ________________, and pommel horse events.
  8. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  9. His birthday is in either ________________ or April.
  10. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  11. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  12. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  13. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  14. We're almost out of ________________.
  15. The band played a military ________________ at the parade.
  16. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  17. Michael Jackson and Prince changed the history of ________________ music.
  18. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  19. You don't need to ________________ round.
  20. We will have lived in Kyoto for eight years next ________________.
  21. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  22. I can't ________________ this cold.
  23. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  24. Only by prohibiting all nuclear weapons, we can together stop the arms ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. stand — for spectators
  2. deal — to handle
  3. race — a contest
  4. vault — an arched ceiling
  5. vault — a safe
  6. race — humankind
  7. vault — in gymnastics
  8. stand — on your feet
  9. march — the month
  10. track — a song
  11. deal — a big deal
  12. safe — out of danger
  13. safe — a strongbox
  14. pop — soda
  15. march — music
  16. track — a path
  17. pop — music
  18. track — to keep track
  19. pop — to visit
  20. march — the month
  21. deal — an agreement
  22. stand — to bear
  23. safe — out of danger
  24. race — the arms race

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