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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 · deal · object · club · pitcher · rock · bark · temple

  1. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  2. I belonged to the harmonica ________________ in my high school days.
  3. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  4. Birch trees have smooth white ________________.
  5. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  6. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  7. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  8. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  9. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  10. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  11. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  12. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  13. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  14. Later, his shop becomes a ________________ with young dancers.
  15. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  16. He is an ace ________________.
  17. When was this ________________ built?
  18. My rich neighbors belong to a private golf ________________.
  19. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  20. The sergeant loved to ________________ orders at us.
  21. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  22. Our dog starts to ________________ whenever the doorbell rings.
  23. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  24. I don't want to ________________ the boat.

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

Answer key

  1. scale — size or range
  2. club — a group
  3. rock — a stone
  4. bark — of a tree
  5. deal — to handle
  6. scale — in music
  7. rock — music
  8. deal — an agreement
  9. temple — side of the head
  10. deal — a big deal
  11. object — an aim
  12. object — to protest
  13. object — a thing
  14. club — for dancing
  15. scale — for weighing
  16. pitcher — in baseball
  17. temple — a place of worship
  18. club — for golf
  19. pitcher — a jug
  20. bark — to shout
  21. pitcher — a jug
  22. bark — a dog's sound
  23. temple — a place of worship
  24. rock — to move gently

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