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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: scale · fork · temple · key · bass · safe · deal · rock

  1. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  2. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  3. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  4. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  5. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  6. We usually eat with a knife, ________________ and spoon.
  7. We came to a ________________ in the road and had no idea which direction to go.
  8. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  9. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  10. When was this ________________ built?
  11. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  12. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  13. This piece is in a major ________________.
  14. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  15. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  16. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  17. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  18. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  19. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  20. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  21. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  22. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  23. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  24. Use a garden ________________ to turn the soil.

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

Answer key

  1. scale — in music
  2. safe — a strongbox
  3. bass — the instrument
  4. temple — side of the head
  5. scale — for weighing
  6. fork — to eat with
  7. fork — in a road
  8. bass — low music
  9. rock — music
  10. temple — a place of worship
  11. temple — a place of worship
  12. key — the most important part
  13. key — in music
  14. deal — an agreement
  15. safe — out of danger
  16. rock — to move gently
  17. scale — size or range
  18. deal — to handle
  19. bass — the fish
  20. key — for a lock
  21. safe — out of danger
  22. deal — a big deal
  23. rock — a stone
  24. fork — a garden tool

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