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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.

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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. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  3. This piece is in a major ________________.
  4. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  5. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  6. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  7. Don't do anything ________________.
  8. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  9. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  10. A ________________ is a sweet brown fruit from a palm tree.
  11. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  12. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  13. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  14. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.
  15. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  16. Have you settled on a ________________?
  17. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  18. When will it ________________ you to start?
  19. The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.
  20. When was this ________________ built?
  21. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  22. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  23. Champaud competed in the parallel bars, ________________, and pommel horse events.
  24. Why do cosmetics have an expiration ________________?

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

Answer key

  1. scale — in music
  2. temple — side of the head
  3. key — in music
  4. rash — on the skin
  5. suit — in cards
  6. racket — for tennis
  7. rash — hasty
  8. scale — size or range
  9. key — the most important part
  10. date — the fruit
  11. key — for a lock
  12. suit — clothes
  13. racket — for tennis
  14. vault — a safe
  15. rash — a series
  16. date — on the calendar
  17. scale — for weighing
  18. suit — to fit
  19. vault — an arched ceiling
  20. temple — a place of worship
  21. racket — a loud noise
  22. temple — a place of worship
  23. vault — in gymnastics
  24. date — on the calendar

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