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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: can · rush · lash · pass · scale · stand · key · board

  1. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  2. That must've been a ________________.
  3. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  4. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  5. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  6. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  7. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  8. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  9. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  10. This piece is in a major ________________.
  11. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  12. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  13. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  14. I can't ________________ this cold.
  15. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  16. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  17. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  18. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  19. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  20. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  21. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  22. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  23. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  24. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.

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

Answer key

  1. scale — for weighing
  2. rush — a thrill
  3. key — for a lock
  4. board — a committee
  5. lash — a whip stroke
  6. pass — a permit
  7. can — a tin
  8. lash — an eyelash
  9. scale — size or range
  10. key — in music
  11. key — the most important part
  12. scale — in music
  13. rush — to hurry
  14. stand — to bear
  15. lash — to lash out
  16. pass — to spend time
  17. stand — for spectators
  18. can — a tin
  19. pass — to succeed
  20. board — a flat piece
  21. can — to be able to
  22. rush — hurry
  23. board — to get on
  24. stand — on your feet

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