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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 120 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: can · perch · vault · bay · nail · pitcher · pop · ruler

  1. Champaud competed in the parallel bars, ________________, and pommel horse events.
  2. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  3. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.
  4. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  5. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  6. We're almost out of ________________.
  7. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  8. My mare is ________________ in color.
  9. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  10. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  11. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  12. He is an ace ________________.
  13. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  14. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  15. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  16. The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.
  17. Michael Jackson and Prince changed the history of ________________ music.
  18. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  19. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  20. You don't need to ________________ round.
  21. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  22. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  23. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  24. The ________________ went through the wall.

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

Answer key

  1. vault — in gymnastics
  2. perch — for a bird
  3. vault — a safe
  4. pitcher — a jug
  5. nail — for a hammer
  6. pop — soda
  7. perch — for a bird
  8. bay — a horse colour
  9. bay — a part of the sea
  10. ruler — a monarch
  11. pitcher — a jug
  12. pitcher — in baseball
  13. perch — the fish
  14. can — a tin
  15. bay — to keep at bay
  16. vault — an arched ceiling
  17. pop — music
  18. can — a tin
  19. ruler — for measuring
  20. pop — to visit
  21. nail — on a finger
  22. can — to be able to
  23. ruler — for measuring
  24. nail — for a hammer

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