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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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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: chip · vault · pit · craft · toast · safe · ruler · mug

  1. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  2. Champaud competed in the parallel bars, ________________, and pommel horse events.
  3. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  4. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  5. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  6. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  7. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.
  8. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  9. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  10. He spent years learning his ________________ as a carpenter.
  11. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  12. Where did you ________________ them?
  13. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  14. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  15. Small ________________ should stay in the harbor during the storm.
  16. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  17. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  18. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  19. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  20. The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.
  21. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  22. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  23. Flower arranging is a traditional ________________ in Japan.
  24. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.

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

Answer key

  1. toast — the most admired
  2. vault — in gymnastics
  3. pit — a fruit stone
  4. toast — a drink to someone
  5. safe — out of danger
  6. chip — for betting
  7. vault — a safe
  8. safe — a strongbox
  9. chip — in a computer
  10. craft — a skill
  11. pit — a hole
  12. mug — to rob
  13. ruler — a monarch
  14. mug — a cup
  15. craft — boats
  16. ruler — for measuring
  17. chip — to eat
  18. safe — out of danger
  19. ruler — for measuring
  20. vault — an arched ceiling
  21. toast — bread
  22. pit — in a race
  23. craft — a handicraft
  24. mug — a face

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