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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.

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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: plane · bound · vault · bank · coach · snap · fan · bear

  1. You don't have to ________________ at me like that.
  2. The ________________ took off on time.
  3. The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.
  4. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  5. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  6. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  7. That was ________________ to happen.
  8. Have you met the new head ________________?
  9. Champaud competed in the parallel bars, ________________, and pommel horse events.
  10. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  11. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  12. ________________ out of it! You haven't done a thing all week.
  13. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  14. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  15. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  16. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  17. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  18. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  19. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  20. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  21. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  22. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  23. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.
  24. When I ________________ my fingers, you'll wake up.

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

Answer key

  1. snap — to speak sharply
  2. plane — an aircraft
  3. vault — an arched ceiling
  4. bank — of a river
  5. bear — to put up with
  6. coach — a trainer
  7. bound — certain
  8. coach — a trainer
  9. vault — in gymnastics
  10. bank — for money
  11. fan — a supporter
  12. snap — to snap out of it
  13. bear — the animal
  14. fan — a supporter
  15. plane — in geometry
  16. bear — the animal
  17. plane — a tool
  18. fan — to cool the air
  19. bank — for money
  20. bound — obliged
  21. bound — tied together
  22. coach — pulled by horses
  23. vault — a safe
  24. snap — to click

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