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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 120 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: stock · root · key · suit · clip · mouse · lash · vault

  1. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.
  2. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  3. How can I extract the audio from a video ________________?
  4. Champaud competed in the parallel bars, ________________, and pommel horse events.
  5. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  6. What's the difference between broth and ________________?
  7. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  8. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  9. When will it ________________ you to start?
  10. It seems a cruel thing to ________________ a bird's wings.
  11. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  12. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  13. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  14. This piece is in a major ________________.
  15. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  16. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  17. Hold the papers together with a ________________.
  18. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  19. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  20. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  21. The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.
  22. The supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.
  23. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  24. The ________________ market has crashed.

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

Answer key

  1. vault — a safe
  2. suit — clothes
  3. clip — a video
  4. vault — in gymnastics
  5. root — the cause
  6. stock — a soup base
  7. key — for a lock
  8. root — of a plant
  9. suit — to fit
  10. clip — to cut
  11. suit — in cards
  12. mouse — for a computer
  13. root — of a word
  14. key — in music
  15. key — the most important part
  16. lash — an eyelash
  17. clip — for paper
  18. lash — a whip stroke
  19. mouse — the animal
  20. mouse — the animal
  21. vault — an arched ceiling
  22. stock — goods
  23. lash — to lash out
  24. stock — shares

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