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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. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  2. My father caught me by the ________________.
  3. The ________________ was covered with snow, as far as the eye could see.
  4. The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.
  5. Champaud competed in the parallel bars, ________________, and pommel horse events.
  6. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  7. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  8. Add some ________________ pepper to it.
  9. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  10. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  11. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  12. The tickets are free of ________________.
  13. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  14. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  15. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.
  16. There's no middle ________________.
  17. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  18. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  19. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  20. That must've been a ________________.
  21. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  22. When will it ________________ you to start?
  23. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  24. He is an ace ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. arm — a part of something
  2. arm — part of the body
  3. ground — the earth
  4. vault — an arched ceiling
  5. vault — in gymnastics
  6. rush — to hurry
  7. charge — electricity
  8. ground — crushed
  9. bowl — to roll
  10. rush — hurry
  11. pitcher — a jug
  12. charge — a price
  13. pitcher — a jug
  14. arm — part of the body
  15. vault — a safe
  16. ground — a position
  17. bowl — a dish
  18. suit — clothes
  19. bowl — a football final
  20. rush — a thrill
  21. charge — in control
  22. suit — to fit
  23. suit — in cards
  24. pitcher — in baseball

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