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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.

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 · mark · safe · bowl · vault · rock · leaves · board

  1. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  2. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  3. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  4. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  5. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  6. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  7. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  8. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  9. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  10. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  11. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  12. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  13. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  14. The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.
  15. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  16. Champaud competed in the parallel bars, ________________, and pommel horse events.
  17. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  18. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  19. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  20. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  21. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.
  22. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  23. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  24. He has no idea where the ________________ is.

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

Answer key

  1. board — to get on
  2. board — a flat piece
  3. leaves — to go away
  4. safe — out of danger
  5. bowl — to roll
  6. mark — to pay attention
  7. board — a committee
  8. mark — a trace
  9. bowl — a dish
  10. leaves — of a tree
  11. rock — music
  12. scale — in music
  13. mark — a grade
  14. vault — an arched ceiling
  15. safe — out of danger
  16. vault — in gymnastics
  17. rock — a stone
  18. bowl — a football final
  19. scale — size or range
  20. leaves — lets stay
  21. vault — a safe
  22. scale — for weighing
  23. rock — to move gently
  24. safe — a strongbox

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