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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: pop · toast · object · mine · can · mouse · stand · vault

  1. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  2. We're almost out of ________________.
  3. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  4. She's sitting on a gold ________________.
  5. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  6. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  7. I met an old friend of ________________ the other day.
  8. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  9. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  10. He was blown up by a land ________________.
  11. The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.
  12. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  13. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.
  14. You don't need to ________________ round.
  15. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  16. Champaud competed in the parallel bars, ________________, and pommel horse events.
  17. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  18. Michael Jackson and Prince changed the history of ________________ music.
  19. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  20. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  21. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  22. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  23. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  24. I can't ________________ this cold.

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

Answer key

  1. stand — for spectators
  2. pop — soda
  3. mouse — the animal
  4. mine — for digging
  5. mouse — the animal
  6. mouse — for a computer
  7. mine — belonging to me
  8. can — a tin
  9. toast — bread
  10. mine — an explosive
  11. vault — an arched ceiling
  12. toast — the most admired
  13. vault — a safe
  14. pop — to visit
  15. object — a thing
  16. vault — in gymnastics
  17. object — to protest
  18. pop — music
  19. can — a tin
  20. object — an aim
  21. stand — on your feet
  22. can — to be able to
  23. toast — a drink to someone
  24. stand — to bear

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