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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 116 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: pitcher · current · leaves · dip · nail · vault · ruler · bay

  1. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  2. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  3. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  4. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  5. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  6. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  7. My mare is ________________ in color.
  8. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  9. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  10. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  11. Champaud competed in the parallel bars, ________________, and pommel horse events.
  12. The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.
  13. The ________________ went through the wall.
  14. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  15. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  16. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  17. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  18. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.
  19. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  20. He is an ace ________________.
  21. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  22. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  23. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  24. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.

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

Answer key

  1. pitcher — a jug
  2. nail — for a hammer
  3. bay — to keep at bay
  4. dip — to sink
  5. dip — to dunk
  6. current — happening now
  7. bay — a horse colour
  8. current — electric
  9. dip — a sauce
  10. current — of water
  11. vault — in gymnastics
  12. vault — an arched ceiling
  13. nail — for a hammer
  14. leaves — lets stay
  15. ruler — for measuring
  16. leaves — to go away
  17. pitcher — a jug
  18. vault — a safe
  19. ruler — for measuring
  20. pitcher — in baseball
  21. leaves — of a tree
  22. bay — a part of the sea
  23. ruler — a monarch
  24. nail — on a finger

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