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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: mug · saw · firm · jam · vault · pop · press · wax

  1. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  2. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  3. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  4. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  5. He works in a ________________ mill.
  6. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  7. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  8. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  9. Michael Jackson and Prince changed the history of ________________ music.
  10. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  11. She's very handy with a ________________.
  12. Champaud competed in the parallel bars, ________________, and pommel horse events.
  13. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  14. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  15. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  16. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  17. Where did you ________________ them?
  18. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  19. Did you ________________ the button?
  20. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.
  21. The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.
  22. We're almost out of ________________.
  23. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  24. You don't need to ________________ round.

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

Answer key

  1. jam — a tight spot
  2. press — newspapers
  3. firm — a company
  4. saw — past of 'see'
  5. saw — the tool
  6. firm — steady
  7. jam — in traffic
  8. mug — a cup
  9. pop — music
  10. firm — decided
  11. saw — the tool
  12. vault — in gymnastics
  13. wax — for sculpting
  14. mug — a face
  15. jam — to spread on bread
  16. wax — to grow
  17. mug — to rob
  18. press — a publisher
  19. press — to push
  20. vault — a safe
  21. vault — an arched ceiling
  22. pop — soda
  23. wax — in the ear
  24. pop — to visit

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