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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: pass · rock · mouse · scale · bear · nail · leaves · fine

  1. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  2. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  3. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  4. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  5. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  6. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  7. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  8. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  9. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  10. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  11. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  12. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  13. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  14. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  15. The ________________ went through the wall.
  16. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  17. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  18. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  19. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  20. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  21. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  22. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  23. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  24. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?

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

Answer key

  1. fine — high quality
  2. rock — a stone
  3. scale — for weighing
  4. leaves — of a tree
  5. rock — to move gently
  6. bear — to put up with
  7. fine — a penalty
  8. mouse — the animal
  9. bear — the animal
  10. nail — on a finger
  11. leaves — to go away
  12. scale — in music
  13. pass — to succeed
  14. scale — size or range
  15. nail — for a hammer
  16. pass — a permit
  17. mouse — the animal
  18. fine — all right
  19. bear — the animal
  20. pass — to spend time
  21. nail — for a hammer
  22. leaves — lets stay
  23. mouse — for a computer
  24. rock — music

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