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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: cabinet · press · vault · firm · ruler · ball · charge · saw

  1. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  2. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  3. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  4. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  5. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  6. He works in a ________________ mill.
  7. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  8. She's very handy with a ________________.
  9. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  10. The tickets are free of ________________.
  11. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  12. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  13. Champaud competed in the parallel bars, ________________, and pommel horse events.
  14. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.
  15. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  16. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  17. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  18. Did you ________________ the button?
  19. The King held a masked ________________.
  20. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  21. The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.
  22. What do you think of the new ________________?
  23. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  24. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.

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

Answer key

  1. charge — electricity
  2. ball — a great time
  3. firm — decided
  4. ball — a round shape
  5. firm — steady
  6. saw — the tool
  7. ruler — for measuring
  8. saw — the tool
  9. ruler — a monarch
  10. charge — a price
  11. ruler — for measuring
  12. cabinet — a cupboard
  13. vault — in gymnastics
  14. vault — a safe
  15. saw — past of 'see'
  16. cabinet — ministers
  17. firm — a company
  18. press — to push
  19. ball — a dance
  20. press — newspapers
  21. vault — an arched ceiling
  22. cabinet — ministers
  23. charge — in control
  24. press — a publisher

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