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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. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.
  2. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  3. Champaud competed in the parallel bars, ________________, and pommel horse events.
  4. There's a broken ________________ in the bed.
  5. The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.
  6. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  7. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  8. What do you think of the new ________________?
  9. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  10. She's very handy with a ________________.
  11. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  12. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  13. He works in a ________________ mill.
  14. The hotel is built around a mineral ________________.
  15. The flowers bloom in the ________________.
  16. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  17. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  18. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  19. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  20. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  21. Where did you ________________ them?
  22. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  23. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  24. That must've been a ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. vault — a safe
  2. ruler — for measuring
  3. vault — in gymnastics
  4. spring — a coil
  5. vault — an arched ceiling
  6. mug — a cup
  7. cabinet — ministers
  8. cabinet — ministers
  9. saw — past of 'see'
  10. saw — the tool
  11. mug — a face
  12. cue — a hint
  13. saw — the tool
  14. spring — of water
  15. spring — the season
  16. ruler — a monarch
  17. cue — a signal
  18. ruler — for measuring
  19. rush — hurry
  20. rush — to hurry
  21. mug — to rob
  22. cabinet — a cupboard
  23. cue — for pool
  24. rush — a thrill

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