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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
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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: stand · firm · charge · saw · date · key · vault · spring

  1. Champaud competed in the parallel bars, ________________, and pommel horse events.
  2. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  3. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  4. The hotel is built around a mineral ________________.
  5. The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.
  6. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  7. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  8. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  9. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  10. He works in a ________________ mill.
  11. The flowers bloom in the ________________.
  12. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  13. Have you settled on a ________________?
  14. I can't ________________ this cold.
  15. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  16. The tickets are free of ________________.
  17. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  18. This piece is in a major ________________.
  19. She's very handy with a ________________.
  20. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.
  21. Why do cosmetics have an expiration ________________?
  22. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  23. A ________________ is a sweet brown fruit from a palm tree.
  24. There's a broken ________________ in the bed.

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

Answer key

  1. vault — in gymnastics
  2. key — the most important part
  3. key — for a lock
  4. spring — of water
  5. vault — an arched ceiling
  6. charge — in control
  7. saw — past of 'see'
  8. charge — electricity
  9. firm — a company
  10. saw — the tool
  11. spring — the season
  12. stand — on your feet
  13. date — on the calendar
  14. stand — to bear
  15. stand — for spectators
  16. charge — a price
  17. firm — decided
  18. key — in music
  19. saw — the tool
  20. vault — a safe
  21. date — on the calendar
  22. firm — steady
  23. date — the fruit
  24. spring — a coil

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