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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.

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: bass · lie · safe · mine · fine · ball · stand · vault

  1. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  2. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.
  3. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  4. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  5. Champaud competed in the parallel bars, ________________, and pommel horse events.
  6. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  7. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  8. I met an old friend of ________________ the other day.
  9. I can't ________________ this cold.
  10. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  11. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  12. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  13. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  14. She's sitting on a gold ________________.
  15. The King held a masked ________________.
  16. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  17. The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.
  18. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  19. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  20. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  21. He was blown up by a land ________________.
  22. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  23. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  24. I play ________________ in a jazz band.

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

Answer key

  1. stand — for spectators
  2. vault — a safe
  3. safe — out of danger
  4. fine — high quality
  5. vault — in gymnastics
  6. safe — out of danger
  7. fine — a penalty
  8. mine — belonging to me
  9. stand — to bear
  10. ball — a round shape
  11. lie — an untruth
  12. lie — to recline
  13. bass — low music
  14. mine — for digging
  15. ball — a dance
  16. ball — a great time
  17. vault — an arched ceiling
  18. lie — an untruth
  19. safe — a strongbox
  20. stand — on your feet
  21. mine — an explosive
  22. fine — all right
  23. bass — the fish
  24. bass — the instrument

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