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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.

Make a worksheet

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: bowl · lash · scale · bass · safe · nail · toast · spell

  1. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  2. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  3. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  4. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  5. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  6. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  7. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  8. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  9. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  10. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  11. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  12. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  13. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  14. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  15. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  16. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  17. The ________________ went through the wall.
  18. How do you ________________ your surname?
  19. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  20. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  21. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  22. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  23. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  24. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.

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

Answer key

  1. bass — low music
  2. safe — out of danger
  3. lash — to lash out
  4. nail — for a hammer
  5. toast — the most admired
  6. scale — size or range
  7. spell — a short time
  8. toast — a drink to someone
  9. bass — the instrument
  10. scale — in music
  11. safe — out of danger
  12. lash — an eyelash
  13. bass — the fish
  14. lash — a whip stroke
  15. nail — on a finger
  16. safe — a strongbox
  17. nail — for a hammer
  18. spell — letters
  19. toast — bread
  20. bowl — to roll
  21. spell — magic
  22. bowl — a football final
  23. bowl — a dish
  24. scale — for weighing

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