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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: prune · scale · calf · pass · club · season · rush · rock

  1. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  2. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  3. My rich neighbors belong to a private golf ________________.
  4. I cannot ________________ this tree. It's too high.
  5. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  6. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  7. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  8. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  9. Do not ________________ roses in the fall.
  10. I belonged to the harmonica ________________ in my high school days.
  11. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  12. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  13. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  14. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  15. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  16. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  17. That must've been a ________________.
  18. A ________________ is just a dried plum.
  19. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  20. Later, his shop becomes a ________________ with young dancers.
  21. Did you ________________ the meat?
  22. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  23. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  24. He had ________________ pain while walking.

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

Answer key

  1. scale — for weighing
  2. rock — a stone
  3. club — for golf
  4. prune — to trim
  5. calf — a young animal
  6. pass — to spend time
  7. season — of the year
  8. scale — size or range
  9. prune — to trim
  10. club — a group
  11. scale — in music
  12. pass — to succeed
  13. season — in sport
  14. rock — to move gently
  15. pass — a permit
  16. rock — music
  17. rush — a thrill
  18. prune — the fruit
  19. rush — to hurry
  20. club — for dancing
  21. season — to add flavour
  22. rush — hurry
  23. calf — a young animal
  24. calf — of the leg

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