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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: mug · mark · plane · stick · safe · pitcher · file · vault

  1. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  2. The ________________ took off on time.
  3. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  4. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  5. The information is stored in a ________________ on my computer.
  6. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  7. Where did you ________________ them?
  8. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  9. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  10. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  11. The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.
  12. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  13. We walked down the narrow path in single ________________.
  14. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  15. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  16. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  17. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  18. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  19. He rubbed the rust off with a ________________.
  20. Champaud competed in the parallel bars, ________________, and pommel horse events.
  21. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  22. He is an ace ________________.
  23. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.
  24. She got the top ________________ in the exam.

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

Answer key

  1. stick — to attach or keep to
  2. plane — an aircraft
  3. safe — a strongbox
  4. plane — a tool
  5. file — a document
  6. stick — a piece of wood
  7. mug — to rob
  8. pitcher — a jug
  9. safe — out of danger
  10. mug — a face
  11. vault — an arched ceiling
  12. mug — a cup
  13. file — a line of people
  14. mark — to pay attention
  15. safe — out of danger
  16. pitcher — a jug
  17. plane — in geometry
  18. stick — a piece of wood
  19. file — a tool
  20. vault — in gymnastics
  21. mark — a trace
  22. pitcher — in baseball
  23. vault — a safe
  24. mark — a grade

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