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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.

Make a worksheet

Students read each sentence and write the missing word. Every word appears in several sentences, each time with a different meaning.

Words on the sheet
468
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: temple · nail · safe · swing · scale · tube · mouse · charge

  1. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  2. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  3. The ________________ went through the wall.
  4. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  5. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  6. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  7. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  8. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  9. The coach helped Matthew straighten out his golf ________________, improving his game.
  10. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  11. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  12. I'll be taking the ________________.
  13. David sat on the ________________.
  14. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  15. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  16. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  17. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  18. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  19. In jazz, ________________ was gradually being replaced by bebop.
  20. The tickets are free of ________________.
  21. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  22. When was this ________________ built?
  23. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  24. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.

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

Answer key

  1. scale — for weighing
  2. tube — a container
  3. nail — for a hammer
  4. safe — out of danger
  5. temple — a place of worship
  6. scale — in music
  7. mouse — for a computer
  8. mouse — the animal
  9. swing — in golf
  10. mouse — the animal
  11. charge — electricity
  12. tube — the underground
  13. swing — to play on
  14. tube — in a tire
  15. temple — side of the head
  16. safe — a strongbox
  17. scale — size or range
  18. charge — in control
  19. swing — music
  20. charge — a price
  21. nail — on a finger
  22. temple — a place of worship
  23. safe — out of danger
  24. nail — for a hammer

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