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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: face · fine · pitcher · cabinet · mug · vault · toast · pit

  1. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  2. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  3. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  4. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  5. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  6. Where did you ________________ them?
  7. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  8. The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.
  9. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  10. She had a strange look on her ________________.
  11. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  12. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  13. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  14. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  15. Sooner or later you'll have to ________________ the truth.
  16. Our bedroom windows ________________ the sea.
  17. He is an ace ________________.
  18. What do you think of the new ________________?
  19. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  20. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  21. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  22. Champaud competed in the parallel bars, ________________, and pommel horse events.
  23. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.
  24. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.

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

Answer key

  1. pit — in a race
  2. cabinet — a cupboard
  3. pit — a fruit stone
  4. fine — high quality
  5. pitcher — a jug
  6. mug — to rob
  7. toast — the most admired
  8. vault — an arched ceiling
  9. fine — a penalty
  10. face — part of the head
  11. pitcher — a jug
  12. mug — a cup
  13. fine — all right
  14. toast — a drink to someone
  15. face — to confront
  16. face — to point toward
  17. pitcher — in baseball
  18. cabinet — ministers
  19. mug — a face
  20. pit — a hole
  21. cabinet — ministers
  22. vault — in gymnastics
  23. vault — a safe
  24. toast — bread

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