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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: calf · key · bulb · field · scale · arm · plane · vault

  1. She's an expert in the ________________ of medicine.
  2. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  3. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  4. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  5. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  6. I've got to change the light ________________.
  7. This piece is in a major ________________.
  8. The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.
  9. Champaud competed in the parallel bars, ________________, and pommel horse events.
  10. The ________________ took off on time.
  11. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.
  12. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  13. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  14. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  15. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  16. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  17. Vegetables are growing on this ________________.
  18. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  19. The light ________________ burned out.
  20. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  21. My father caught me by the ________________.
  22. The stadium has a track around the football ________________.
  23. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  24. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. field — a subject
  2. bulb — of a plant
  3. scale — size or range
  4. key — the most important part
  5. plane — a tool
  6. bulb — for light
  7. key — in music
  8. vault — an arched ceiling
  9. vault — in gymnastics
  10. plane — an aircraft
  11. vault — a safe
  12. scale — for weighing
  13. arm — part of the body
  14. calf — a young animal
  15. scale — in music
  16. key — for a lock
  17. field — farmland
  18. arm — a part of something
  19. bulb — for light
  20. calf — a young animal
  21. arm — part of the body
  22. field — for sport
  23. calf — of the leg
  24. plane — in geometry

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