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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: coach · last · mark · vault · pop · plane · file · calf

  1. The information is stored in a ________________ on my computer.
  2. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  3. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  4. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  5. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  6. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  7. Today is the ________________ day of the holidays. Back to school tomorrow!
  8. You don't need to ________________ round.
  9. The ________________ took off on time.
  10. Michael Jackson and Prince changed the history of ________________ music.
  11. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  12. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  13. We walked down the narrow path in single ________________.
  14. At ________________, we arrived at the village.
  15. Champaud competed in the parallel bars, ________________, and pommel horse events.
  16. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  17. False peace will not ________________.
  18. He rubbed the rust off with a ________________.
  19. We're almost out of ________________.
  20. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  21. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  22. Have you met the new head ________________?
  23. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.
  24. The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.

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

Answer key

  1. file — a document
  2. plane — in geometry
  3. calf — of the leg
  4. coach — a trainer
  5. calf — a young animal
  6. calf — a young animal
  7. last — final
  8. pop — to visit
  9. plane — an aircraft
  10. pop — music
  11. mark — a grade
  12. plane — a tool
  13. file — a line of people
  14. last — finally
  15. vault — in gymnastics
  16. coach — pulled by horses
  17. last — to go on
  18. file — a tool
  19. pop — soda
  20. mark — a trace
  21. mark — to pay attention
  22. coach — a trainer
  23. vault — a safe
  24. vault — an arched ceiling

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