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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 116 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: rest · file · can · vault · current · stick · bulb · nail

  1. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.
  2. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  3. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  4. The ________________ went through the wall.
  5. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  6. I've got to change the light ________________.
  7. The ________________ of the members were all out of tune.
  8. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  9. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  10. We walked down the narrow path in single ________________.
  11. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  12. The information is stored in a ________________ on my computer.
  13. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  14. The light ________________ burned out.
  15. He rubbed the rust off with a ________________.
  16. Champaud competed in the parallel bars, ________________, and pommel horse events.
  17. Because of the accident, he'll have a limp for the ________________ of his life.
  18. The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.
  19. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  20. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  21. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  22. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  23. I would like to have a ________________ here.
  24. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.

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

Answer key

  1. vault — a safe
  2. current — happening now
  3. nail — on a finger
  4. nail — for a hammer
  5. stick — a piece of wood
  6. bulb — for light
  7. rest — what's left
  8. can — a tin
  9. nail — for a hammer
  10. file — a line of people
  11. current — electric
  12. file — a document
  13. can — to be able to
  14. bulb — for light
  15. file — a tool
  16. vault — in gymnastics
  17. rest — what's left
  18. vault — an arched ceiling
  19. current — of water
  20. stick — a piece of wood
  21. stick — to attach or keep to
  22. can — a tin
  23. rest — a break
  24. bulb — of a plant

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