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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
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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: vault · jam · mark · firm · can · plane · calf · mug

  1. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  2. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  3. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  4. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  5. Where did you ________________ them?
  6. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  7. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  8. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  9. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  10. The ________________ took off on time.
  11. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  12. Champaud competed in the parallel bars, ________________, and pommel horse events.
  13. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  14. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  15. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  16. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  17. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  18. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  19. The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.
  20. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  21. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  22. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  23. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.
  24. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.

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

Answer key

  1. calf — a young animal
  2. can — a tin
  3. mark — to pay attention
  4. jam — a tight spot
  5. mug — to rob
  6. firm — decided
  7. firm — a company
  8. jam — in traffic
  9. can — a tin
  10. plane — an aircraft
  11. mark — a grade
  12. vault — in gymnastics
  13. mug — a cup
  14. mark — a trace
  15. calf — of the leg
  16. mug — a face
  17. plane — a tool
  18. jam — to spread on bread
  19. vault — an arched ceiling
  20. calf — a young animal
  21. can — to be able to
  22. plane — in geometry
  23. vault — a safe
  24. firm — steady

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