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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.

Make a worksheet

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: wax · mark · object · ruler · vault · current · straw · key

  1. The goat rested comfortably on a soft bed of ________________.
  2. It always has to be a ________________ man with them.
  3. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  4. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  5. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  6. This piece is in a major ________________.
  7. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  8. The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.
  9. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  10. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  11. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  12. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  13. A drowning man will clutch at a ________________.
  14. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  15. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  16. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  17. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  18. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  19. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  20. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  21. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  22. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.
  23. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  24. Champaud competed in the parallel bars, ________________, and pommel horse events.

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

Answer key

  1. straw — dry grass
  2. straw — a straw man
  3. mark — a grade
  4. wax — for sculpting
  5. current — electric
  6. key — in music
  7. wax — to grow
  8. vault — an arched ceiling
  9. key — the most important part
  10. ruler — for measuring
  11. current — of water
  12. mark — to pay attention
  13. straw — to clutch at straws
  14. object — an aim
  15. ruler — for measuring
  16. object — a thing
  17. current — happening now
  18. ruler — a monarch
  19. key — for a lock
  20. mark — a trace
  21. wax — in the ear
  22. vault — a safe
  23. object — to protest
  24. vault — in gymnastics

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