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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: hide · pass · spell · fan · mark · stand · vault · dip

  1. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  2. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  3. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  4. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  5. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  6. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  7. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  8. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  9. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  10. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  11. Champaud competed in the parallel bars, ________________, and pommel horse events.
  12. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  13. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  14. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  15. The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.
  16. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  17. I can't ________________ this cold.
  18. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  19. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  20. How do you ________________ your surname?
  21. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  22. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  23. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  24. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. stand — on your feet
  2. hide — to keep secret
  3. pass — to spend time
  4. spell — magic
  5. pass — to succeed
  6. dip — a sauce
  7. stand — for spectators
  8. dip — to sink
  9. fan — to cool the air
  10. pass — a permit
  11. vault — in gymnastics
  12. spell — a short time
  13. mark — a grade
  14. fan — a supporter
  15. vault — an arched ceiling
  16. mark — a trace
  17. stand — to bear
  18. fan — a supporter
  19. hide — animal skin
  20. spell — letters
  21. mark — to pay attention
  22. hide — to keep secret
  23. dip — to dunk
  24. vault — a safe

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