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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. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  2. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  3. The ________________ was transferred to the cardiology ward.
  4. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  5. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  6. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  7. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  8. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  9. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  10. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  11. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  12. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  13. The nurse administered an injection to the ________________.
  14. That must've been a ________________.
  15. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  16. Vegetables are growing on this ________________.
  17. She's an expert in the ________________ of medicine.
  18. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  19. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  20. The farmer was ________________ with the unruly horse.
  21. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  22. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  23. The stadium has a track around the football ________________.
  24. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?

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

Answer key

  1. mouse — the animal
  2. safe — out of danger
  3. patient — a sick person
  4. ruler — a monarch
  5. ruler — for measuring
  6. mouse — for a computer
  7. rock — a stone
  8. rush — to hurry
  9. fan — a supporter
  10. safe — a strongbox
  11. rock — to move gently
  12. ruler — for measuring
  13. patient — a sick person
  14. rush — a thrill
  15. mouse — the animal
  16. field — farmland
  17. field — a subject
  18. rush — hurry
  19. safe — out of danger
  20. patient — calm and waiting
  21. fan — to cool the air
  22. fan — a supporter
  23. field — for sport
  24. rock — music

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