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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.

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: court · ruler · scale · temple · dip · band · rock · calf

  1. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  2. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  3. The ________________ found him guilty of stealing money.
  4. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  5. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  6. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  7. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  8. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  9. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  10. He still wears his gold wedding ________________.
  11. When was this ________________ built?
  12. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  13. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  14. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  15. He's the lead singer in a rock ________________.
  16. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  17. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  18. When a clown is made king, the ________________ becomes a circus.
  19. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  20. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  21. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  22. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  23. He put a rubber ________________ around the bundle of letters.
  24. The ball is in your ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. scale — in music
  2. ruler — a monarch
  3. court — of law
  4. calf — of the leg
  5. dip — to dunk
  6. temple — a place of worship
  7. ruler — for measuring
  8. scale — size or range
  9. temple — side of the head
  10. band — a ring
  11. temple — a place of worship
  12. rock — a stone
  13. calf — a young animal
  14. ruler — for measuring
  15. band — a music group
  16. rock — to move gently
  17. dip — a sauce
  18. court — of a king
  19. rock — music
  20. dip — to sink
  21. scale — for weighing
  22. calf — a young animal
  23. band — a rubber band
  24. court — for sport

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