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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: pop · scale · date · safe · bank · saw · suit · band

  1. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  2. Have you settled on a ________________?
  3. He still wears his gold wedding ________________.
  4. A ________________ is a sweet brown fruit from a palm tree.
  5. He's the lead singer in a rock ________________.
  6. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  7. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  8. Why do cosmetics have an expiration ________________?
  9. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  10. When will it ________________ you to start?
  11. We're almost out of ________________.
  12. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  13. He works in a ________________ mill.
  14. He put a rubber ________________ around the bundle of letters.
  15. You don't need to ________________ round.
  16. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  17. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  18. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  19. Michael Jackson and Prince changed the history of ________________ music.
  20. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  21. She's very handy with a ________________.
  22. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  23. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  24. Is it ________________ for us to be here?

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

Answer key

  1. scale — for weighing
  2. date — on the calendar
  3. band — a ring
  4. date — the fruit
  5. band — a music group
  6. safe — a strongbox
  7. suit — clothes
  8. date — on the calendar
  9. safe — out of danger
  10. suit — to fit
  11. pop — soda
  12. scale — in music
  13. saw — the tool
  14. band — a rubber band
  15. pop — to visit
  16. bank — for money
  17. saw — past of 'see'
  18. scale — size or range
  19. pop — music
  20. suit — in cards
  21. saw — the tool
  22. bank — for money
  23. bank — of a river
  24. safe — out of danger

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