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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 · firm · plane · current · staff · fine · jam · prune

  1. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  2. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  3. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  4. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  5. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  6. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  7. Do not ________________ roses in the fall.
  8. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  9. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  10. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  11. A ________________ is just a dried plum.
  12. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  13. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  14. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  15. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  16. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  17. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  18. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  19. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  20. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  21. I cannot ________________ this tree. It's too high.
  22. The ________________ took off on time.
  23. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  24. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. scale — for weighing
  2. current — of water
  3. plane — a tool
  4. fine — all right
  5. scale — in music
  6. jam — in traffic
  7. prune — to trim
  8. firm — decided
  9. staff — employees
  10. staff — employees
  11. prune — the fruit
  12. firm — steady
  13. fine — high quality
  14. plane — in geometry
  15. firm — a company
  16. fine — a penalty
  17. current — electric
  18. jam — to spread on bread
  19. staff — a stick
  20. jam — a tight spot
  21. prune — to trim
  22. plane — an aircraft
  23. current — happening now
  24. scale — size or range

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