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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. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  3. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  4. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  5. The light ________________ burned out.
  6. I've got to change the light ________________.
  7. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  8. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  9. The farmer was ________________ with the unruly horse.
  10. The sergeant loved to ________________ orders at us.
  11. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  12. Flower arranging is a traditional ________________ in Japan.
  13. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  14. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  15. Small ________________ should stay in the harbor during the storm.
  16. Birch trees have smooth white ________________.
  17. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  18. The nurse administered an injection to the ________________.
  19. Our dog starts to ________________ whenever the doorbell rings.
  20. He spent years learning his ________________ as a carpenter.
  21. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  22. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  23. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  24. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?

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

Answer key

  1. patient — a sick person
  2. hide — to keep secret
  3. toast — bread
  4. rock — to move gently
  5. bulb — for light
  6. bulb — for light
  7. safe — out of danger
  8. safe — out of danger
  9. patient — calm and waiting
  10. bark — to shout
  11. toast — a drink to someone
  12. craft — a handicraft
  13. hide — animal skin
  14. rock — a stone
  15. craft — boats
  16. bark — of a tree
  17. rock — music
  18. patient — a sick person
  19. bark — a dog's sound
  20. craft — a skill
  21. toast — the most admired
  22. bulb — of a plant
  23. safe — a strongbox
  24. hide — to keep secret

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