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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.

Make a worksheet

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: rash · mark · lie · key · vault · root · plane · bound

  1. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.
  2. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  3. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  4. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  5. The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.
  6. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  7. Champaud competed in the parallel bars, ________________, and pommel horse events.
  8. That was ________________ to happen.
  9. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  10. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  11. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  12. Don't do anything ________________.
  13. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  14. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  15. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  16. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  17. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  18. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  19. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  20. The ________________ took off on time.
  21. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  22. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  23. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  24. This piece is in a major ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. vault — a safe
  2. root — of a word
  3. mark — a grade
  4. rash — on the skin
  5. vault — an arched ceiling
  6. plane — a tool
  7. vault — in gymnastics
  8. bound — certain
  9. lie — to recline
  10. rash — a series
  11. root — of a plant
  12. rash — hasty
  13. plane — in geometry
  14. mark — to pay attention
  15. key — for a lock
  16. lie — an untruth
  17. root — the cause
  18. key — the most important part
  19. bound — obliged
  20. plane — an aircraft
  21. bound — tied together
  22. lie — an untruth
  23. mark — a trace
  24. key — in music

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