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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: toast · fine · pop · stand · scale · key · mouse · board

  1. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  2. This piece is in a major ________________.
  3. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  4. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  5. We're almost out of ________________.
  6. You don't need to ________________ round.
  7. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  8. Michael Jackson and Prince changed the history of ________________ music.
  9. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  10. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  11. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  12. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  13. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  14. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  15. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  16. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  17. I can't ________________ this cold.
  18. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  19. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  20. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  21. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  22. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  23. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  24. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.

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

Answer key

  1. scale — in music
  2. key — in music
  3. stand — for spectators
  4. scale — size or range
  5. pop — soda
  6. pop — to visit
  7. fine — high quality
  8. pop — music
  9. key — for a lock
  10. fine — a penalty
  11. toast — a drink to someone
  12. toast — the most admired
  13. fine — all right
  14. mouse — the animal
  15. board — a flat piece
  16. mouse — for a computer
  17. stand — to bear
  18. board — a committee
  19. stand — on your feet
  20. mouse — the animal
  21. key — the most important part
  22. toast — bread
  23. board — to get on
  24. scale — for weighing

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