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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: patient · rock · fan · key · pass · scale · vault · lash

  1. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  2. Champaud competed in the parallel bars, ________________, and pommel horse events.
  3. The farmer was ________________ with the unruly horse.
  4. This piece is in a major ________________.
  5. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  6. The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.
  7. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  8. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  9. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.
  10. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  11. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  12. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  13. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  14. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  15. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  16. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  17. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  18. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  19. The ________________ was transferred to the cardiology ward.
  20. The nurse administered an injection to the ________________.
  21. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  22. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  23. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  24. Hard work is the ________________ to success.

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

Answer key

  1. scale — for weighing
  2. vault — in gymnastics
  3. patient — calm and waiting
  4. key — in music
  5. lash — a whip stroke
  6. vault — an arched ceiling
  7. rock — music
  8. scale — in music
  9. vault — a safe
  10. key — for a lock
  11. pass — to spend time
  12. fan — a supporter
  13. pass — a permit
  14. rock — a stone
  15. fan — to cool the air
  16. lash — an eyelash
  17. lash — to lash out
  18. fan — a supporter
  19. patient — a sick person
  20. patient — a sick person
  21. pass — to succeed
  22. rock — to move gently
  23. scale — size or range
  24. key — the most important part

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