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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 120 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 in each sentence. Each word is used more than once, with a different meaning each time.

  1. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  2. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  3. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  4. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  5. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  6. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  7. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  8. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  9. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  10. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  11. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  12. This piece is in a major ________________.
  13. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  14. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  15. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  16. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  17. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  18. The King held a masked ________________.
  19. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  20. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  21. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  22. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  23. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  24. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.

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

Answer key

  1. scale — in music
  2. key — for a lock
  3. bass — the instrument
  4. scale — size or range
  5. root — of a plant
  6. lash — an eyelash
  7. ball — a round shape
  8. root — the cause
  9. key — the most important part
  10. staff — a stick
  11. staff — employees
  12. key — in music
  13. object — to protest
  14. bass — low music
  15. lash — to lash out
  16. staff — employees
  17. bass — the fish
  18. ball — a dance
  19. ball — a great time
  20. object — a thing
  21. scale — for weighing
  22. lash — a whip stroke
  23. object — an aim
  24. root — of a word

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