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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 · mark · ball · toast · board · present · foot · safe

  1. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  2. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  3. Did you get a birthday ________________ for him this year?
  4. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  5. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  6. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  7. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  8. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  9. The King held a masked ________________.
  10. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  11. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  12. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  13. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  14. My partner was ________________ at the birth of our baby.
  15. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  16. Actually, the ________________ method has plenty of room for improvement.
  17. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  18. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  19. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  20. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  21. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  22. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  23. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  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 — in music
  2. safe — out of danger
  3. present — a gift
  4. toast — a drink to someone
  5. board — a flat piece
  6. mark — a grade
  7. mark — a trace
  8. ball — a round shape
  9. ball — a dance
  10. board — to get on
  11. foot — a measure
  12. foot — part of the body
  13. scale — for weighing
  14. present — there
  15. foot — the bottom
  16. present — the time now
  17. ball — a great time
  18. safe — a strongbox
  19. board — a committee
  20. mark — to pay attention
  21. toast — bread
  22. toast — the most admired
  23. safe — out of danger
  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