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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
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: scale · toast · charge · lash · calf · track · ruler · hide

  1. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  2. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  3. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  4. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  5. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  6. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  7. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  8. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  9. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  10. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  11. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  12. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  13. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  14. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  15. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  16. The tickets are free of ________________.
  17. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  18. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  19. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  20. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  21. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  22. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  23. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  24. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — for measuring
  2. scale — size or range
  3. hide — to keep secret
  4. toast — the most admired
  5. hide — animal skin
  6. ruler — a monarch
  7. hide — to keep secret
  8. scale — in music
  9. calf — of the leg
  10. calf — a young animal
  11. lash — a whip stroke
  12. scale — for weighing
  13. calf — a young animal
  14. toast — a drink to someone
  15. ruler — for measuring
  16. charge — a price
  17. track — to keep track
  18. toast — bread
  19. lash — to lash out
  20. lash — an eyelash
  21. charge — electricity
  22. charge — in control
  23. track — a path
  24. track — a song

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