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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: scale · plane · rash · bowl · nail · shower · toast · pass

  1. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  2. We took cover from the thunder ________________.
  3. The ________________ took off on time.
  4. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  5. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  6. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  7. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  8. Don't do anything ________________.
  9. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  10. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  11. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  12. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  13. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  14. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  15. He's taking a ________________ right now.
  16. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  17. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  18. The ________________ went through the wall.
  19. The dagger's metal was presumably from the same meteor ________________.
  20. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  21. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  22. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  23. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  24. I seem to be developing a ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. scale — size or range
  2. shower — rain
  3. plane — an aircraft
  4. pass — to succeed
  5. toast — bread
  6. plane — in geometry
  7. scale — in music
  8. rash — hasty
  9. bowl — a football final
  10. bowl — to roll
  11. rash — a series
  12. toast — a drink to someone
  13. plane — a tool
  14. nail — for a hammer
  15. shower — to wash
  16. nail — on a finger
  17. scale — for weighing
  18. nail — for a hammer
  19. shower — a meteor shower
  20. toast — the most admired
  21. pass — a permit
  22. pass — to spend time
  23. bowl — a dish
  24. rash — on the skin

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