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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: pitcher · nail · fine · pass · pop · stick · vault · bulb

  1. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  2. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  3. You don't need to ________________ round.
  4. We're almost out of ________________.
  5. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  6. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  7. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  8. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  9. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  10. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  11. The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.
  12. I've got to change the light ________________.
  13. The ________________ went through the wall.
  14. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  15. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  16. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  17. He is an ace ________________.
  18. Champaud competed in the parallel bars, ________________, and pommel horse events.
  19. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.
  20. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  21. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  22. The light ________________ burned out.
  23. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  24. Michael Jackson and Prince changed the history of ________________ music.

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

Answer key

  1. pitcher — a jug
  2. fine — a penalty
  3. pop — to visit
  4. pop — soda
  5. pitcher — a jug
  6. pass — to succeed
  7. pass — a permit
  8. stick — to attach or keep to
  9. bulb — of a plant
  10. nail — on a finger
  11. vault — an arched ceiling
  12. bulb — for light
  13. nail — for a hammer
  14. stick — a piece of wood
  15. pass — to spend time
  16. fine — high quality
  17. pitcher — in baseball
  18. vault — in gymnastics
  19. vault — a safe
  20. fine — all right
  21. stick — a piece of wood
  22. bulb — for light
  23. nail — for a hammer
  24. pop — music

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