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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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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. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  3. My father caught me by the ________________.
  4. Champaud competed in the parallel bars, ________________, and pommel horse events.
  5. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  6. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  7. Have you met the new head ________________?
  8. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  9. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  10. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  11. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  12. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  13. The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.
  14. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.
  15. The farmer was ________________ with the unruly horse.
  16. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  17. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  18. The nurse administered an injection to the ________________.
  19. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  20. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  21. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  22. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  23. When was this ________________ built?
  24. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?

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

Answer key

  1. patient — a sick person
  2. coach — a trainer
  3. arm — part of the body
  4. vault — in gymnastics
  5. deal — to handle
  6. deal — an agreement
  7. coach — a trainer
  8. rock — a stone
  9. arm — part of the body
  10. temple — side of the head
  11. branch — of a tree
  12. arm — a part of something
  13. vault — an arched ceiling
  14. vault — a safe
  15. patient — calm and waiting
  16. temple — a place of worship
  17. rock — to move gently
  18. patient — a sick person
  19. branch — a division
  20. deal — a big deal
  21. branch — of a bank
  22. rock — music
  23. temple — a place of worship
  24. coach — pulled by horses

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