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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: suit · saw · sharp · board · vault · cell · lash · can

  1. He was locked up in a ________________.
  2. He's quite ________________, isn't he?
  3. The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.
  4. He works in a ________________ mill.
  5. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  6. She's very handy with a ________________.
  7. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  8. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  9. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.
  10. Oh no! I wasn't paying attention and left my ________________ phone in the restaurant!
  11. It's one o'clock ________________.
  12. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  13. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  14. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  15. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  16. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  17. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  18. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  19. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  20. When will it ________________ you to start?
  21. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  22. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  23. Each ________________ is a complete and highly sophisticated living world in its own right.
  24. Champaud competed in the parallel bars, ________________, and pommel horse events.

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

Answer key

  1. cell — in a prison
  2. sharp — clever
  3. vault — an arched ceiling
  4. saw — the tool
  5. can — to be able to
  6. saw — the tool
  7. lash — to lash out
  8. sharp — with an edge
  9. vault — a safe
  10. cell — a phone
  11. sharp — exactly
  12. suit — clothes
  13. can — a tin
  14. lash — an eyelash
  15. lash — a whip stroke
  16. saw — past of 'see'
  17. board — a flat piece
  18. suit — in cards
  19. board — a committee
  20. suit — to fit
  21. board — to get on
  22. can — a tin
  23. cell — in biology
  24. vault — in gymnastics

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