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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 · fine · lean · key · mug · ball · bore · suit

  1. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  2. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  3. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  4. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  5. Where did you ________________ them?
  6. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  7. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  8. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  9. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  10. This piece is in a major ________________.
  11. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  12. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  13. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  14. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  15. He is as ________________ as a wolf.
  16. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  17. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  18. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  19. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  20. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  21. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  22. When will it ________________ you to start?
  23. The King held a masked ________________.
  24. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?

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

Answer key

  1. scale — in music
  2. ball — a round shape
  3. bore — to tire
  4. lean — to rest against
  5. mug — to rob
  6. scale — for weighing
  7. suit — clothes
  8. fine — high quality
  9. ball — a great time
  10. key — in music
  11. scale — size or range
  12. bore — gave birth
  13. lean — to bend
  14. suit — in cards
  15. lean — thin
  16. mug — a face
  17. bore — to drill
  18. mug — a cup
  19. key — the most important part
  20. fine — all right
  21. fine — a penalty
  22. suit — to fit
  23. ball — a dance
  24. key — for a lock

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