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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.

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: lash · roll · mug · key · face · coach · vault · plane

  1. The ________________ took off on time.
  2. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  3. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.
  4. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  5. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  6. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.
  7. Where did you ________________ them?
  8. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  9. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  10. Have you met the new head ________________?
  11. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  12. This piece is in a major ________________.
  13. We're on a ________________ here.
  14. Our bedroom windows ________________ the sea.
  15. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  16. The teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.
  17. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  18. She had a strange look on her ________________.
  19. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  20. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  21. Sooner or later you'll have to ________________ the truth.
  22. The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.
  23. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  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. plane — an aircraft
  2. plane — a tool
  3. roll — a cake
  4. plane — in geometry
  5. lash — an eyelash
  6. vault — a safe
  7. mug — to rob
  8. mug — a face
  9. mug — a cup
  10. coach — a trainer
  11. coach — pulled by horses
  12. key — in music
  13. roll — on a roll
  14. face — to point toward
  15. key — the most important part
  16. roll — a list
  17. coach — a trainer
  18. face — part of the head
  19. lash — to lash out
  20. lash — a whip stroke
  21. face — to confront
  22. vault — an arched ceiling
  23. key — for a lock
  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