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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 116 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. The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.
  2. It's one o'clock ________________.
  3. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.
  4. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  5. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  6. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  7. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  8. That was ________________ to happen.
  9. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  10. He's quite ________________, isn't he?
  11. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  12. Champaud competed in the parallel bars, ________________, and pommel horse events.
  13. Where did you ________________ them?
  14. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  15. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  16. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  17. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  18. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  19. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  20. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  21. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  22. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  23. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  24. My mare is ________________ in color.

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

Answer key

  1. vault — an arched ceiling
  2. sharp — exactly
  3. vault — a safe
  4. bound — obliged
  5. bound — tied together
  6. firm — steady
  7. bay — to keep at bay
  8. bound — certain
  9. root — of a word
  10. sharp — clever
  11. mug — a cup
  12. vault — in gymnastics
  13. mug — to rob
  14. firm — a company
  15. fine — a penalty
  16. firm — decided
  17. sharp — with an edge
  18. fine — all right
  19. bay — a part of the sea
  20. root — the cause
  21. root — of a plant
  22. fine — high quality
  23. mug — a face
  24. bay — a horse colour

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