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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.

Words on the sheet
468
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: tube · firm · mouse · ball · leaves · vault · patient · fine

  1. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  2. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  3. The King held a masked ________________.
  4. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  5. I'll be taking the ________________.
  6. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  7. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  8. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  9. Champaud competed in the parallel bars, ________________, and pommel horse events.
  10. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  11. The ________________ was transferred to the cardiology ward.
  12. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.
  13. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  14. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  15. The farmer was ________________ with the unruly horse.
  16. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  17. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  18. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  19. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  20. The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.
  21. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  22. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  23. The nurse administered an injection to the ________________.
  24. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.

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

Answer key

  1. tube — in a tire
  2. leaves — to go away
  3. ball — a dance
  4. leaves — of a tree
  5. tube — the underground
  6. firm — decided
  7. ball — a round shape
  8. tube — a container
  9. vault — in gymnastics
  10. firm — steady
  11. patient — a sick person
  12. vault — a safe
  13. fine — high quality
  14. mouse — for a computer
  15. patient — calm and waiting
  16. leaves — lets stay
  17. fine — a penalty
  18. mouse — the animal
  19. firm — a company
  20. vault — an arched ceiling
  21. fine — all right
  22. mouse — the animal
  23. patient — a sick person
  24. ball — a great time

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