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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.

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 · present · root · saw · charge · vault · cue · tube

  1. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  2. I'll be taking the ________________.
  3. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  4. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  5. The tickets are free of ________________.
  6. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  7. She's very handy with a ________________.
  8. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.
  9. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  10. The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.
  11. Champaud competed in the parallel bars, ________________, and pommel horse events.
  12. My partner was ________________ at the birth of our baby.
  13. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  14. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  15. Did you get a birthday ________________ for him this year?
  16. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  17. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  18. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  19. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  20. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  21. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  22. He works in a ________________ mill.
  23. Actually, the ________________ method has plenty of room for improvement.
  24. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.

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

Answer key

  1. cue — a hint
  2. tube — the underground
  3. root — of a word
  4. can — a tin
  5. charge — a price
  6. cue — for pool
  7. saw — the tool
  8. vault — a safe
  9. cue — a signal
  10. vault — an arched ceiling
  11. vault — in gymnastics
  12. present — there
  13. saw — past of 'see'
  14. tube — in a tire
  15. present — a gift
  16. can — to be able to
  17. root — of a plant
  18. root — the cause
  19. tube — a container
  20. can — a tin
  21. charge — electricity
  22. saw — the tool
  23. present — the time now
  24. charge — in control

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