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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: pop · cabinet · cap · vault · mark · perch · bulb · jam

  1. It's best to wear a ________________ on your head during the cold Moscow winters.
  2. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  3. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  4. I've got to change the light ________________.
  5. The polar ice ________________ is melting.
  6. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  7. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  8. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  9. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  10. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  11. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  12. Can you put the ________________ back on the pen?
  13. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  14. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  15. We're almost out of ________________.
  16. Champaud competed in the parallel bars, ________________, and pommel horse events.
  17. Michael Jackson and Prince changed the history of ________________ music.
  18. The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.
  19. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  20. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  21. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.
  22. You don't need to ________________ round.
  23. The light ________________ burned out.
  24. What do you think of the new ________________?

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

Answer key

  1. cap — a hat
  2. jam — to spread on bread
  3. cabinet — a cupboard
  4. bulb — for light
  5. cap — of ice
  6. jam — in traffic
  7. mark — a grade
  8. perch — the fish
  9. cabinet — ministers
  10. bulb — of a plant
  11. perch — for a bird
  12. cap — a lid
  13. jam — a tight spot
  14. mark — a trace
  15. pop — soda
  16. vault — in gymnastics
  17. pop — music
  18. vault — an arched ceiling
  19. mark — to pay attention
  20. perch — for a bird
  21. vault — a safe
  22. pop — to visit
  23. bulb — for light
  24. cabinet — ministers

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