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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.

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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: ruler · pass · vault · rash · cap · lie · season · mouse

  1. The polar ice ________________ is melting.
  2. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  3. Champaud competed in the parallel bars, ________________, and pommel horse events.
  4. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  5. Can you put the ________________ back on the pen?
  6. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  7. The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.
  8. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  9. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  10. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.
  11. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  12. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  13. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  14. Did you ________________ the meat?
  15. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  16. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  17. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  18. It's best to wear a ________________ on your head during the cold Moscow winters.
  19. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  20. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  21. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  22. Don't do anything ________________.
  23. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  24. The people resisted their cruel ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. cap — of ice
  2. rash — on the skin
  3. vault — in gymnastics
  4. ruler — for measuring
  5. cap — a lid
  6. mouse — for a computer
  7. vault — an arched ceiling
  8. rash — a series
  9. pass — a permit
  10. vault — a safe
  11. pass — to succeed
  12. mouse — the animal
  13. season — of the year
  14. season — to add flavour
  15. ruler — for measuring
  16. lie — an untruth
  17. season — in sport
  18. cap — a hat
  19. mouse — the animal
  20. lie — to recline
  21. lie — an untruth
  22. rash — hasty
  23. pass — to spend time
  24. ruler — a monarch

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