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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: ball · scale · staff · charge · stand · lie · prune · date

  1. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  2. Have you settled on a ________________?
  3. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  4. I cannot ________________ this tree. It's too high.
  5. A ________________ is a sweet brown fruit from a palm tree.
  6. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  7. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  8. Why do cosmetics have an expiration ________________?
  9. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  10. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  11. Do not ________________ roses in the fall.
  12. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  13. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  14. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  15. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  16. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  17. A ________________ is just a dried plum.
  18. The King held a masked ________________.
  19. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  20. I can't ________________ this cold.
  21. The tickets are free of ________________.
  22. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  23. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  24. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.

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

Answer key

  1. scale — in music
  2. date — on the calendar
  3. lie — an untruth
  4. prune — to trim
  5. date — the fruit
  6. ball — a round shape
  7. ball — a great time
  8. date — on the calendar
  9. stand — for spectators
  10. lie — an untruth
  11. prune — to trim
  12. staff — employees
  13. stand — on your feet
  14. staff — a stick
  15. staff — employees
  16. charge — electricity
  17. prune — the fruit
  18. ball — a dance
  19. scale — for weighing
  20. stand — to bear
  21. charge — a price
  22. charge — in control
  23. scale — size or range
  24. lie — to recline

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