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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: roll · temple · key · can · foot · pit · bark · vault

  1. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  2. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  3. We're on a ________________ here.
  4. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  5. Champaud competed in the parallel bars, ________________, and pommel horse events.
  6. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  7. The teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.
  8. The sergeant loved to ________________ orders at us.
  9. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  10. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  11. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.
  12. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  13. Birch trees have smooth white ________________.
  14. The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.
  15. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  16. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  17. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.
  18. When was this ________________ built?
  19. This piece is in a major ________________.
  20. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  21. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  22. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  23. Our dog starts to ________________ whenever the doorbell rings.
  24. Hard work is the ________________ to success.

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

Answer key

  1. pit — in a race
  2. foot — a measure
  3. roll — on a roll
  4. temple — side of the head
  5. vault — in gymnastics
  6. temple — a place of worship
  7. roll — a list
  8. bark — to shout
  9. pit — a hole
  10. can — a tin
  11. vault — a safe
  12. can — a tin
  13. bark — of a tree
  14. vault — an arched ceiling
  15. foot — part of the body
  16. key — for a lock
  17. roll — a cake
  18. temple — a place of worship
  19. key — in music
  20. pit — a fruit stone
  21. can — to be able to
  22. foot — the bottom
  23. bark — a dog's sound
  24. key — the most important part

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