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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.

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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 · spell · toast · safe · prune · fine · suit · content

  1. I cannot ________________ this tree. It's too high.
  2. Check the label for the sugar ________________.
  3. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  4. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  5. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  6. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  7. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  8. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  9. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  10. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  11. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  12. When will it ________________ you to start?
  13. Do not ________________ roses in the fall.
  14. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  15. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  16. TikTok makes it very easy to create ________________.
  17. Buy me a box of chocolates and I'll be ________________.
  18. A ________________ is just a dried plum.
  19. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  20. How do you ________________ your surname?
  21. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  22. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  23. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  24. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.

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

Answer key

  1. prune — to trim
  2. content — the amount
  3. scale — for weighing
  4. fine — all right
  5. toast — the most admired
  6. spell — magic
  7. safe — a strongbox
  8. fine — high quality
  9. safe — out of danger
  10. suit — clothes
  11. scale — size or range
  12. suit — to fit
  13. prune — to trim
  14. toast — a drink to someone
  15. spell — a short time
  16. content — videos and posts
  17. content — happy
  18. prune — the fruit
  19. safe — out of danger
  20. spell — letters
  21. scale — in music
  22. fine — a penalty
  23. suit — in cards
  24. toast — bread

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