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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 · mouse · mine · board · toast · foot · content · bulb

  1. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  2. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  3. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  4. She's sitting on a gold ________________.
  5. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  6. Check the label for the sugar ________________.
  7. Buy me a box of chocolates and I'll be ________________.
  8. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  9. TikTok makes it very easy to create ________________.
  10. I've got to change the light ________________.
  11. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  12. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  13. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  14. I met an old friend of ________________ the other day.
  15. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  16. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  17. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  18. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  19. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  20. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  21. The light ________________ burned out.
  22. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  23. He was blown up by a land ________________.
  24. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.

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

Answer key

  1. scale — size or range
  2. foot — part of the body
  3. bulb — of a plant
  4. mine — for digging
  5. board — a committee
  6. content — the amount
  7. content — happy
  8. mouse — the animal
  9. content — videos and posts
  10. bulb — for light
  11. scale — for weighing
  12. mouse — for a computer
  13. scale — in music
  14. mine — belonging to me
  15. toast — the most admired
  16. mouse — the animal
  17. foot — a measure
  18. toast — a drink to someone
  19. board — a flat piece
  20. toast — bread
  21. bulb — for light
  22. board — to get on
  23. mine — an explosive
  24. foot — the bottom

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