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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.

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: ruler · key · rush · shower · mouse · vault · can · calf

  1. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  2. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  3. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  4. That must've been a ________________.
  5. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  6. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  7. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.
  8. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  9. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  10. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  11. This piece is in a major ________________.
  12. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  13. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  14. We took cover from the thunder ________________.
  15. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  16. The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.
  17. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  18. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  19. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  20. He's taking a ________________ right now.
  21. The dagger's metal was presumably from the same meteor ________________.
  22. Champaud competed in the parallel bars, ________________, and pommel horse events.
  23. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  24. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.

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

Answer key

  1. mouse — the animal
  2. mouse — for a computer
  3. can — a tin
  4. rush — a thrill
  5. calf — of the leg
  6. rush — to hurry
  7. vault — a safe
  8. calf — a young animal
  9. key — the most important part
  10. can — a tin
  11. key — in music
  12. rush — hurry
  13. calf — a young animal
  14. shower — rain
  15. ruler — for measuring
  16. vault — an arched ceiling
  17. mouse — the animal
  18. can — to be able to
  19. key — for a lock
  20. shower — to wash
  21. shower — a meteor shower
  22. vault — in gymnastics
  23. ruler — a monarch
  24. ruler — for measuring

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