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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 116 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 · rock · branch · bay · stand · track · pop · pitch

  1. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  2. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  3. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  4. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  5. Champaud competed in the parallel bars, ________________, and pommel horse events.
  6. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  7. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  8. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  9. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.
  10. We're almost out of ________________.
  11. My mare is ________________ in color.
  12. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  13. Michael Jackson and Prince changed the history of ________________ music.
  14. She's preparing to ________________ her idea to the investors.
  15. You don't need to ________________ round.
  16. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  17. The players ran onto the football ________________.
  18. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  19. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  20. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  21. I can't ________________ this cold.
  22. The room was ________________ black, so I couldn't see a thing.
  23. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  24. The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.

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

Answer key

  1. bay — to keep at bay
  2. track — to keep track
  3. branch — of a tree
  4. rock — a stone
  5. vault — in gymnastics
  6. track — a song
  7. track — a path
  8. branch — a division
  9. vault — a safe
  10. pop — soda
  11. bay — a horse colour
  12. branch — of a bank
  13. pop — music
  14. pitch — a sales talk
  15. pop — to visit
  16. stand — on your feet
  17. pitch — a sports field
  18. rock — music
  19. rock — to move gently
  20. bay — a part of the sea
  21. stand — to bear
  22. pitch — completely
  23. stand — for spectators
  24. vault — an arched ceiling

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