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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
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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: row · sharp · mouse · lash · scale · wind · fine · vault

  1. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  2. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  3. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.
  4. We had to ________________ the boat across the lake.
  5. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  6. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  7. It was raining hard, and to make things worse, the ________________ was beginning to rise.
  8. The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.
  9. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  10. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  11. The strong ________________ blew his hat off.
  12. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  13. It's one o'clock ________________.
  14. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  15. He's quite ________________, isn't he?
  16. Champaud competed in the parallel bars, ________________, and pommel horse events.
  17. The girl drawing a picture in the first ________________ is my niece.
  18. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  19. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  20. I had a ________________ with my boss today.
  21. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  22. He sold his goods at a loss to ________________ up his business.
  23. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  24. This knife is not ________________ enough.

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

Answer key

  1. scale — size or range
  2. scale — in music
  3. vault — a safe
  4. row — to paddle
  5. fine — a penalty
  6. mouse — the animal
  7. wind — moving air
  8. vault — an arched ceiling
  9. fine — all right
  10. lash — a whip stroke
  11. wind — moving air
  12. lash — to lash out
  13. sharp — exactly
  14. mouse — for a computer
  15. sharp — clever
  16. vault — in gymnastics
  17. row — a line
  18. scale — for weighing
  19. lash — an eyelash
  20. row — a quarrel
  21. mouse — the animal
  22. wind — to turn a key
  23. fine — high quality
  24. sharp — with an edge

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