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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.

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: trunk · safe · rash · band · key · vault · charge · mine

  1. He put a rubber ________________ around the bundle of letters.
  2. This piece is in a major ________________.
  3. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  4. He's the lead singer in a rock ________________.
  5. The tree's ________________ was scarred by lightning strikes.
  6. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.
  7. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  8. He still wears his gold wedding ________________.
  9. I met an old friend of ________________ the other day.
  10. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  11. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  12. He was blown up by a land ________________.
  13. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  14. The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.
  15. Champaud competed in the parallel bars, ________________, and pommel horse events.
  16. The tickets are free of ________________.
  17. The elephant has a huge ________________.
  18. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  19. Don't do anything ________________.
  20. I've got the luggage in my ________________.
  21. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  22. She's sitting on a gold ________________.
  23. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  24. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.

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

Answer key

  1. band — a rubber band
  2. key — in music
  3. charge — in control
  4. band — a music group
  5. trunk — of a tree
  6. vault — a safe
  7. rash — on the skin
  8. band — a ring
  9. mine — belonging to me
  10. key — the most important part
  11. safe — out of danger
  12. mine — an explosive
  13. key — for a lock
  14. vault — an arched ceiling
  15. vault — in gymnastics
  16. charge — a price
  17. trunk — of an elephant
  18. rash — a series
  19. rash — hasty
  20. trunk — of a car
  21. charge — electricity
  22. mine — for digging
  23. safe — a strongbox
  24. safe — out of danger

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