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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: root · cabinet · vault · mate · key · chip · bowl · pitcher

  1. Champaud competed in the parallel bars, ________________, and pommel horse events.
  2. What do you think of the new ________________?
  3. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  4. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  5. He is an ace ________________.
  6. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  7. This piece is in a major ________________.
  8. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  9. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  10. Have you found your soul ________________?
  11. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  12. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  13. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  14. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  15. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  16. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  17. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  18. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  19. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  20. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  21. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.
  22. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  23. The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.
  24. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?

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

Answer key

  1. vault — in gymnastics
  2. cabinet — ministers
  3. cabinet — a cupboard
  4. bowl — to roll
  5. pitcher — in baseball
  6. root — the cause
  7. key — in music
  8. chip — to eat
  9. root — of a word
  10. mate — a partner
  11. mate — to breed
  12. bowl — a dish
  13. pitcher — a jug
  14. root — of a plant
  15. cabinet — ministers
  16. bowl — a football final
  17. chip — for betting
  18. key — for a lock
  19. chip — in a computer
  20. pitcher — a jug
  21. vault — a safe
  22. key — the most important part
  23. vault — an arched ceiling
  24. mate — a friend

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