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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 116 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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Multiple-Meaning Words

Name: ____________________Date: __________

Write the missing word in each sentence. Each word is used more than once, with a different meaning each time.

  1. The ________________ was transferred to the cardiology ward.
  2. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  3. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  4. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  5. This piece is in a major ________________.
  6. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  7. Have you met the new head ________________?
  8. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  9. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  10. Have you found your soul ________________?
  11. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  12. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  13. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  14. The nurse administered an injection to the ________________.
  15. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  16. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  17. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  18. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  19. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  20. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  21. The farmer was ________________ with the unruly horse.
  22. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  23. The King held a masked ________________.
  24. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.

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

Answer key

  1. patient — a sick person
  2. pit — in a race
  3. object — an aim
  4. key — for a lock
  5. key — in music
  6. coach — pulled by horses
  7. coach — a trainer
  8. rock — music
  9. object — to protest
  10. mate — a partner
  11. pit — a fruit stone
  12. mate — to breed
  13. coach — a trainer
  14. patient — a sick person
  15. pit — a hole
  16. key — the most important part
  17. rock — to move gently
  18. ball — a great time
  19. ball — a round shape
  20. rock — a stone
  21. patient — calm and waiting
  22. mate — a friend
  23. ball — a dance
  24. object — a thing

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