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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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Word bank
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Multiple-Meaning Words

Name: ____________________Date: __________

Write the missing word from the word bank in each sentence. Each word is used more than once, with a different meaning each time.

Word bank: roll · face · jam · vault · plane · can · mug · fan

  1. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  2. She had a strange look on her ________________.
  3. Champaud competed in the parallel bars, ________________, and pommel horse events.
  4. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  5. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.
  6. The teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.
  7. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  8. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  9. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  10. Sooner or later you'll have to ________________ the truth.
  11. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  12. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  13. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  14. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  15. The ________________ took off on time.
  16. The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.
  17. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  18. We're on a ________________ here.
  19. Where did you ________________ them?
  20. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  21. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  22. Our bedroom windows ________________ the sea.
  23. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  24. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. can — a tin
  2. face — part of the head
  3. vault — in gymnastics
  4. plane — a tool
  5. roll — a cake
  6. roll — a list
  7. mug — a face
  8. jam — to spread on bread
  9. jam — a tight spot
  10. face — to confront
  11. plane — in geometry
  12. can — to be able to
  13. fan — to cool the air
  14. fan — a supporter
  15. plane — an aircraft
  16. vault — an arched ceiling
  17. jam — in traffic
  18. roll — on a roll
  19. mug — to rob
  20. fan — a supporter
  21. can — a tin
  22. face — to point toward
  23. mug — a cup
  24. vault — a safe

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