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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: scale · stock · hide · nail · current · cabinet · drill · spell

  1. We had a fire ________________ at school today.
  2. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  3. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  4. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  5. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  6. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  7. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  8. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  9. What's the difference between broth and ________________?
  10. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  11. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  12. How do you ________________ your surname?
  13. The soldiers did ________________ on the parade ground every morning.
  14. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  15. The supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.
  16. What do you think of the new ________________?
  17. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  18. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  19. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  20. I need a ________________ to install the towel rack.
  21. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  22. The ________________ market has crashed.
  23. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  24. The ________________ went through the wall.

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

Answer key

  1. drill — a practice
  2. scale — for weighing
  3. cabinet — ministers
  4. scale — in music
  5. spell — magic
  6. cabinet — a cupboard
  7. scale — size or range
  8. hide — to keep secret
  9. stock — a soup base
  10. nail — for a hammer
  11. hide — to keep secret
  12. spell — letters
  13. drill — army training
  14. current — of water
  15. stock — goods
  16. cabinet — ministers
  17. nail — on a finger
  18. hide — animal skin
  19. current — happening now
  20. drill — the tool
  21. spell — a short time
  22. stock — shares
  23. current — electric
  24. nail — for a hammer

Multiple-meaning words list

Tick up to 10 words to build a worksheet with just those words.

Make a worksheet (0 words)

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