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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: track · fan · vault · hide · can · wake · mug · coach

  1. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.
  2. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  3. Friends gathered at the ________________ to remember him.
  4. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  5. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  6. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  7. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  8. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  9. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  10. The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.
  11. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  12. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  13. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  14. Have you met the new head ________________?
  15. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  16. The speedboat left a long ________________ behind it.
  17. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  18. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  19. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  20. I didn't ________________ up well this morning.
  21. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  22. Champaud competed in the parallel bars, ________________, and pommel horse events.
  23. Where did you ________________ them?
  24. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.

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

Answer key

  1. vault — a safe
  2. hide — animal skin
  3. wake — before a funeral
  4. fan — to cool the air
  5. coach — pulled by horses
  6. track — a path
  7. can — a tin
  8. mug — a cup
  9. can — a tin
  10. vault — an arched ceiling
  11. track — to keep track
  12. hide — to keep secret
  13. track — a song
  14. coach — a trainer
  15. hide — to keep secret
  16. wake — a trail
  17. can — to be able to
  18. coach — a trainer
  19. fan — a supporter
  20. wake — to stop sleeping
  21. fan — a supporter
  22. vault — in gymnastics
  23. mug — to rob
  24. mug — a face

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