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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: mug · leaves · pass · rock · key · vault · net · bowl

  1. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  2. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  3. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.
  4. He took the fish out of the ________________.
  5. Champaud competed in the parallel bars, ________________, and pommel horse events.
  6. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  7. The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.
  8. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  9. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  10. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  11. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  12. What was your ________________ profit last year?
  13. Where did you ________________ them?
  14. The ball hit the back of the ________________.
  15. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  16. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  17. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  18. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  19. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  20. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  21. This piece is in a major ________________.
  22. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  23. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  24. We were using a ________________ as a seat.

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

Answer key

  1. mug — a face
  2. bowl — to roll
  3. vault — a safe
  4. net — for catching
  5. vault — in gymnastics
  6. pass — to succeed
  7. vault — an arched ceiling
  8. pass — to spend time
  9. leaves — lets stay
  10. pass — a permit
  11. leaves — to go away
  12. net — after costs
  13. mug — to rob
  14. net — in sport
  15. leaves — of a tree
  16. key — the most important part
  17. rock — music
  18. mug — a cup
  19. key — for a lock
  20. rock — to move gently
  21. key — in music
  22. bowl — a dish
  23. bowl — a football final
  24. rock — a stone

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