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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. Champaud competed in the parallel bars, ________________, and pommel horse events.
  2. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  3. The nurse administered an injection to the ________________.
  4. The farmer was ________________ with the unruly horse.
  5. ________________ out of it! You haven't done a thing all week.
  6. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  7. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  8. You don't have to ________________ at me like that.
  9. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  10. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.
  11. I can't ________________ this cold.
  12. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  13. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  14. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  15. Roulette is a ________________ of chance.
  16. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  17. The ________________ was transferred to the cardiology ward.
  18. The pointer is employed to find upland ________________.
  19. The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.
  20. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  21. When I ________________ my fingers, you'll wake up.
  22. That was a fun ________________.
  23. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  24. He keeps ________________ of his days.

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

Answer key

  1. vault — in gymnastics
  2. stand — for spectators
  3. patient — a sick person
  4. patient — calm and waiting
  5. snap — to snap out of it
  6. safe — a strongbox
  7. leaves — to go away
  8. snap — to speak sharply
  9. leaves — of a tree
  10. vault — a safe
  11. stand — to bear
  12. track — a path
  13. track — a song
  14. leaves — lets stay
  15. game — a kind of play
  16. stand — on your feet
  17. patient — a sick person
  18. game — wild animals
  19. vault — an arched ceiling
  20. safe — out of danger
  21. snap — to click
  22. game — a match
  23. safe — out of danger
  24. track — to keep track

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