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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: cap · rock · current · plane · lash · tube · bass · vault

  1. Champaud competed in the parallel bars, ________________, and pommel horse events.
  2. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  3. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  4. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  5. It's best to wear a ________________ on your head during the cold Moscow winters.
  6. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  7. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.
  8. The ________________ took off on time.
  9. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  10. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  11. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  12. Can you put the ________________ back on the pen?
  13. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  14. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  15. The polar ice ________________ is melting.
  16. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  17. The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.
  18. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  19. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  20. I'll be taking the ________________.
  21. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  22. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  23. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  24. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.

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

Answer key

  1. vault — in gymnastics
  2. plane — in geometry
  3. rock — a stone
  4. lash — a whip stroke
  5. cap — a hat
  6. lash — an eyelash
  7. vault — a safe
  8. plane — an aircraft
  9. rock — music
  10. plane — a tool
  11. rock — to move gently
  12. cap — a lid
  13. bass — the instrument
  14. bass — the fish
  15. cap — of ice
  16. current — happening now
  17. vault — an arched ceiling
  18. current — electric
  19. lash — to lash out
  20. tube — the underground
  21. tube — in a tire
  22. bass — low music
  23. current — of water
  24. tube — a container

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