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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.

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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. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  2. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  3. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  4. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  5. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  6. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  7. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  8. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  9. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  10. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  11. He hasn't even shaken my ________________.
  12. Do you need a ________________ with that?
  13. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  14. What do you think of the new ________________?
  15. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  16. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  17. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  18. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  19. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  20. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  21. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  22. I got dealt a bad ________________.
  23. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  24. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.

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

Answer key

  1. scale — size or range
  2. pass — a permit
  3. scale — in music
  4. pass — to spend time
  5. cabinet — ministers
  6. board — to get on
  7. mouse — the animal
  8. board — a flat piece
  9. fan — a supporter
  10. scale — for weighing
  11. hand — part of the body
  12. hand — help
  13. rock — to move gently
  14. cabinet — ministers
  15. cabinet — a cupboard
  16. mouse — for a computer
  17. rock — a stone
  18. pass — to succeed
  19. fan — to cool the air
  20. fan — a supporter
  21. mouse — the animal
  22. hand — in cards
  23. rock — music
  24. board — a committee

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