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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.

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: toast · vault · mug · suit · pitcher · stock · ruler · leaves

  1. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  2. The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.
  3. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  4. He is an ace ________________.
  5. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  6. When will it ________________ you to start?
  7. The supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.
  8. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  9. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  10. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  11. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.
  12. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  13. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  14. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  15. Where did you ________________ them?
  16. What's the difference between broth and ________________?
  17. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  18. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  19. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  20. Champaud competed in the parallel bars, ________________, and pommel horse events.
  21. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  22. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  23. The ________________ market has crashed.
  24. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.

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

Answer key

  1. toast — bread
  2. vault — an arched ceiling
  3. ruler — for measuring
  4. pitcher — in baseball
  5. toast — the most admired
  6. suit — to fit
  7. stock — goods
  8. suit — in cards
  9. toast — a drink to someone
  10. ruler — for measuring
  11. vault — a safe
  12. pitcher — a jug
  13. leaves — lets stay
  14. leaves — to go away
  15. mug — to rob
  16. stock — a soup base
  17. pitcher — a jug
  18. mug — a cup
  19. leaves — of a tree
  20. vault — in gymnastics
  21. ruler — a monarch
  22. mug — a face
  23. stock — shares
  24. suit — clothes

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