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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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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 · ruler · row · vault · key · mark · plane · bore

  1. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  2. The ________________ took off on time.
  3. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  4. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  5. We had to ________________ the boat across the lake.
  6. Champaud competed in the parallel bars, ________________, and pommel horse events.
  7. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  8. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  9. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  10. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  11. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  12. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  13. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  14. The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.
  15. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  16. The girl drawing a picture in the first ________________ is my niece.
  17. This piece is in a major ________________.
  18. I had a ________________ with my boss today.
  19. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  20. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  21. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.
  22. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  23. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  24. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.

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

Answer key

  1. plane — a tool
  2. plane — an aircraft
  3. plane — in geometry
  4. bass — the fish
  5. row — to paddle
  6. vault — in gymnastics
  7. key — for a lock
  8. mark — to pay attention
  9. key — the most important part
  10. bass — the instrument
  11. bore — to drill
  12. mark — a grade
  13. ruler — a monarch
  14. vault — an arched ceiling
  15. mark — a trace
  16. row — a line
  17. key — in music
  18. row — a quarrel
  19. bore — to tire
  20. ruler — for measuring
  21. vault — a safe
  22. bore — gave birth
  23. bass — low music
  24. ruler — for measuring

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