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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: pound · plane · wake · coach · fan · can · vault · pass

  1. Champaud competed in the parallel bars, ________________, and pommel horse events.
  2. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  3. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  4. The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.
  5. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  6. The ________________ took off on time.
  7. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  8. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  9. The speedboat left a long ________________ behind it.
  10. Jeff had to ________________ the pavement for three months before he found a job.
  11. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  12. I didn't ________________ up well this morning.
  13. A ________________ is equal to sixteen ounces.
  14. Rodrigo's family went to the dog ________________ to adopt a dog.
  15. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  16. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  17. Have you met the new head ________________?
  18. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  19. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  20. Friends gathered at the ________________ to remember him.
  21. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  22. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  23. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.
  24. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?

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

Answer key

  1. vault — in gymnastics
  2. coach — a trainer
  3. plane — a tool
  4. vault — an arched ceiling
  5. fan — a supporter
  6. plane — an aircraft
  7. can — a tin
  8. fan — to cool the air
  9. wake — a trail
  10. pound — to hit hard
  11. pass — to spend time
  12. wake — to stop sleeping
  13. pound — a weight
  14. pound — for dogs
  15. pass — to succeed
  16. plane — in geometry
  17. coach — a trainer
  18. fan — a supporter
  19. can — a tin
  20. wake — before a funeral
  21. can — to be able to
  22. pass — a permit
  23. vault — a safe
  24. coach — pulled by horses

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