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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 116 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: mug · lie · trunk · rash · fan · vault · stick · mouse

  1. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  2. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  3. The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.
  4. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  5. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  6. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  7. I've got the luggage in my ________________.
  8. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  9. The tree's ________________ was scarred by lightning strikes.
  10. Champaud competed in the parallel bars, ________________, and pommel horse events.
  11. Don't do anything ________________.
  12. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.
  13. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  14. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  15. Where did you ________________ them?
  16. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  17. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  18. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  19. The elephant has a huge ________________.
  20. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  21. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  22. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  23. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  24. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.

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

Answer key

  1. lie — an untruth
  2. rash — a series
  3. vault — an arched ceiling
  4. fan — a supporter
  5. fan — a supporter
  6. stick — a piece of wood
  7. trunk — of a car
  8. fan — to cool the air
  9. trunk — of a tree
  10. vault — in gymnastics
  11. rash — hasty
  12. vault — a safe
  13. stick — to attach or keep to
  14. lie — an untruth
  15. mug — to rob
  16. mouse — the animal
  17. mouse — for a computer
  18. mug — a cup
  19. trunk — of an elephant
  20. mug — a face
  21. rash — on the skin
  22. mouse — the animal
  23. stick — a piece of wood
  24. lie — to recline

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