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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: can · object · kick · pitcher · vault · safe · court · leaves

  1. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  2. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  3. They were given a penalty ________________ just minutes from the end.
  4. When a clown is made king, the ________________ becomes a circus.
  5. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  6. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  7. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  8. The ball is in your ________________.
  9. He is an ace ________________.
  10. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  11. The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.
  12. The ________________ found him guilty of stealing money.
  13. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  14. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  15. Champaud competed in the parallel bars, ________________, and pommel horse events.
  16. I get a ________________ out of her cheerful personality.
  17. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  18. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  19. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  20. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  21. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  22. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.
  23. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  24. One ________________ from a giraffe's hind leg is enough to kill a lion.

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

Answer key

  1. safe — out of danger
  2. leaves — of a tree
  3. kick — in football
  4. court — of a king
  5. leaves — to go away
  6. can — a tin
  7. object — to protest
  8. court — for sport
  9. pitcher — in baseball
  10. pitcher — a jug
  11. vault — an arched ceiling
  12. court — of law
  13. can — a tin
  14. object — an aim
  15. vault — in gymnastics
  16. kick — a thrill
  17. pitcher — a jug
  18. safe — a strongbox
  19. can — to be able to
  20. safe — out of danger
  21. leaves — lets stay
  22. vault — a safe
  23. object — a thing
  24. kick — with a leg

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