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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.

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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: drill · deal · craft · vault · racket · track · charge · can

  1. Flower arranging is a traditional ________________ in Japan.
  2. I need a ________________ to install the towel rack.
  3. The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.
  4. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  5. We had a fire ________________ at school today.
  6. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  7. Champaud competed in the parallel bars, ________________, and pommel horse events.
  8. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  9. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  10. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  11. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  12. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  13. The tickets are free of ________________.
  14. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  15. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  16. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.
  17. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  18. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  19. He spent years learning his ________________ as a carpenter.
  20. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  21. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  22. The soldiers did ________________ on the parade ground every morning.
  23. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  24. Small ________________ should stay in the harbor during the storm.

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

Answer key

  1. craft — a handicraft
  2. drill — the tool
  3. vault — an arched ceiling
  4. can — to be able to
  5. drill — a practice
  6. deal — a big deal
  7. vault — in gymnastics
  8. racket — a loud noise
  9. can — a tin
  10. deal — to handle
  11. track — a path
  12. charge — electricity
  13. charge — a price
  14. track — a song
  15. deal — an agreement
  16. vault — a safe
  17. racket — for tennis
  18. can — a tin
  19. craft — a skill
  20. charge — in control
  21. racket — for tennis
  22. drill — army training
  23. track — to keep track
  24. craft — boats

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