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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: bore · lash · pitcher · jam · straw · vault · stand · bulb

  1. I can't ________________ this cold.
  2. The goat rested comfortably on a soft bed of ________________.
  3. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.
  4. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  5. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  6. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  7. I've got to change the light ________________.
  8. It always has to be a ________________ man with them.
  9. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  10. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  11. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  12. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  13. A drowning man will clutch at a ________________.
  14. The light ________________ burned out.
  15. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  16. Champaud competed in the parallel bars, ________________, and pommel horse events.
  17. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  18. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  19. He is an ace ________________.
  20. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  21. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  22. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  23. The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.
  24. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.

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

Answer key

  1. stand — to bear
  2. straw — dry grass
  3. vault — a safe
  4. bore — gave birth
  5. stand — on your feet
  6. stand — for spectators
  7. bulb — for light
  8. straw — a straw man
  9. jam — in traffic
  10. bore — to drill
  11. lash — an eyelash
  12. jam — a tight spot
  13. straw — to clutch at straws
  14. bulb — for light
  15. bulb — of a plant
  16. vault — in gymnastics
  17. bore — to tire
  18. jam — to spread on bread
  19. pitcher — in baseball
  20. pitcher — a jug
  21. pitcher — a jug
  22. lash — a whip stroke
  23. vault — an arched ceiling
  24. lash — to lash out

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