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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: scale · charge · perch · temple · staff · chip · safe · bass

  1. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  2. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  3. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  4. The tickets are free of ________________.
  5. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  6. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  7. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  8. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  9. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  10. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  11. When was this ________________ built?
  12. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  13. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  14. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  15. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  16. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  17. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  18. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  19. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  20. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  21. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  22. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  23. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  24. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.

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

Answer key

  1. perch — for a bird
  2. scale — size or range
  3. staff — employees
  4. charge — a price
  5. perch — for a bird
  6. scale — in music
  7. chip — to eat
  8. staff — employees
  9. charge — electricity
  10. temple — a place of worship
  11. temple — a place of worship
  12. safe — out of danger
  13. safe — out of danger
  14. charge — in control
  15. scale — for weighing
  16. staff — a stick
  17. perch — the fish
  18. bass — the fish
  19. chip — for betting
  20. safe — a strongbox
  21. bass — the instrument
  22. chip — in a computer
  23. temple — side of the head
  24. bass — low music

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