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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: lie · cabinet · plane · bulb · pitch · safe · temple · vault

  1. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  2. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  3. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  4. The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.
  5. Champaud competed in the parallel bars, ________________, and pommel horse events.
  6. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  7. I've got to change the light ________________.
  8. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  9. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  10. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  11. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  12. The light ________________ burned out.
  13. The players ran onto the football ________________.
  14. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  15. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  16. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.
  17. The ________________ took off on time.
  18. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  19. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  20. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  21. The room was ________________ black, so I couldn't see a thing.
  22. What do you think of the new ________________?
  23. She's preparing to ________________ her idea to the investors.
  24. When was this ________________ built?

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

Answer key

  1. lie — to recline
  2. plane — a tool
  3. safe — out of danger
  4. vault — an arched ceiling
  5. vault — in gymnastics
  6. plane — in geometry
  7. bulb — for light
  8. cabinet — ministers
  9. lie — an untruth
  10. temple — side of the head
  11. cabinet — a cupboard
  12. bulb — for light
  13. pitch — a sports field
  14. bulb — of a plant
  15. safe — out of danger
  16. vault — a safe
  17. plane — an aircraft
  18. temple — a place of worship
  19. safe — a strongbox
  20. lie — an untruth
  21. pitch — completely
  22. cabinet — ministers
  23. pitch — a sales talk
  24. temple — a place of worship

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