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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.

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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: rash · prune · safe · sharp · suit · chip · vault · stick

  1. Champaud competed in the parallel bars, ________________, and pommel horse events.
  2. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  3. Do not ________________ roses in the fall.
  4. He's quite ________________, isn't he?
  5. When will it ________________ you to start?
  6. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  7. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  8. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  9. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  10. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  11. It's one o'clock ________________.
  12. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  13. I cannot ________________ this tree. It's too high.
  14. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  15. The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.
  16. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  17. Don't do anything ________________.
  18. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  19. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.
  20. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  21. A ________________ is just a dried plum.
  22. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  23. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  24. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. vault — in gymnastics
  2. suit — clothes
  3. prune — to trim
  4. sharp — clever
  5. suit — to fit
  6. rash — a series
  7. rash — on the skin
  8. chip — in a computer
  9. safe — a strongbox
  10. suit — in cards
  11. sharp — exactly
  12. chip — to eat
  13. prune — to trim
  14. chip — for betting
  15. vault — an arched ceiling
  16. stick — a piece of wood
  17. rash — hasty
  18. sharp — with an edge
  19. vault — a safe
  20. safe — out of danger
  21. prune — the fruit
  22. stick — to attach or keep to
  23. safe — out of danger
  24. stick — a piece of wood

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