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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: vault · shower · staff · mug · sharp · can · plane · rock

  1. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  2. Where did you ________________ them?
  3. He's taking a ________________ right now.
  4. He's quite ________________, isn't he?
  5. It's one o'clock ________________.
  6. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  7. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  8. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  9. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  10. Champaud competed in the parallel bars, ________________, and pommel horse events.
  11. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  12. The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.
  13. The dagger's metal was presumably from the same meteor ________________.
  14. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  15. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  16. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  17. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  18. The ________________ took off on time.
  19. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  20. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  21. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.
  22. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  23. We took cover from the thunder ________________.
  24. ________________ you help me carry this box?

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

Answer key

  1. plane — in geometry
  2. mug — to rob
  3. shower — to wash
  4. sharp — clever
  5. sharp — exactly
  6. staff — a stick
  7. can — a tin
  8. mug — a face
  9. staff — employees
  10. vault — in gymnastics
  11. rock — to move gently
  12. vault — an arched ceiling
  13. shower — a meteor shower
  14. sharp — with an edge
  15. rock — a stone
  16. mug — a cup
  17. can — a tin
  18. plane — an aircraft
  19. rock — music
  20. plane — a tool
  21. vault — a safe
  22. staff — employees
  23. shower — rain
  24. can — to be able to

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