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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 · wave · chip · season · bound · rest · mate · key

  1. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  2. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  3. The ________________ of the members were all out of tune.
  4. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  5. This piece is in a major ________________.
  6. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  7. Because of the accident, he'll have a limp for the ________________ of his life.
  8. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  9. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  10. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  11. I would like to have a ________________ here.
  12. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  13. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  14. Did you ________________ the meat?
  15. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  16. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  17. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  18. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  19. Have you found your soul ________________?
  20. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  21. That was ________________ to happen.
  22. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  23. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  24. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.

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

Answer key

  1. mate — a friend
  2. bound — tied together
  3. rest — what's left
  4. chip — in a computer
  5. key — in music
  6. wave — a sudden rise
  7. rest — what's left
  8. season — of the year
  9. chip — for betting
  10. wave — of the sea
  11. rest — a break
  12. season — in sport
  13. scale — in music
  14. season — to add flavour
  15. key — the most important part
  16. scale — for weighing
  17. mate — to breed
  18. scale — size or range
  19. mate — a partner
  20. bound — obliged
  21. bound — certain
  22. key — for a lock
  23. chip — to eat
  24. wave — with your hand

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