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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. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.
  2. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  3. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  4. That was ________________ to happen.
  5. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  6. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  7. He works in a ________________ mill.
  8. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  9. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  10. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  11. The tickets are free of ________________.
  12. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  13. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  14. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  15. She's very handy with a ________________.
  16. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  17. Champaud competed in the parallel bars, ________________, and pommel horse events.
  18. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  19. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  20. The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.
  21. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  22. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  23. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  24. When will it ________________ you to start?

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

Answer key

  1. vault — a safe
  2. calf — a young animal
  3. bound — tied together
  4. bound — certain
  5. chip — to eat
  6. bound — obliged
  7. saw — the tool
  8. ruler — for measuring
  9. calf — of the leg
  10. suit — clothes
  11. charge — a price
  12. suit — in cards
  13. charge — in control
  14. chip — for betting
  15. saw — the tool
  16. saw — past of 'see'
  17. vault — in gymnastics
  18. ruler — a monarch
  19. chip — in a computer
  20. vault — an arched ceiling
  21. calf — a young animal
  22. ruler — for measuring
  23. charge — electricity
  24. suit — to fit

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