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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. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  2. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  3. The ________________ was transferred to the cardiology ward.
  4. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  5. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  6. The nurse administered an injection to the ________________.
  7. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  8. The ________________ of the members were all out of tune.
  9. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  10. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  11. When will it ________________ you to start?
  12. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  13. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  14. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  15. I would like to have a ________________ here.
  16. Did you ________________ the meat?
  17. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  18. The farmer was ________________ with the unruly horse.
  19. Because of the accident, he'll have a limp for the ________________ of his life.
  20. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  21. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  22. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  23. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  24. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.

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

Answer key

  1. object — a thing
  2. board — a committee
  3. patient — a sick person
  4. suit — in cards
  5. object — to protest
  6. patient — a sick person
  7. lie — to recline
  8. rest — what's left
  9. lie — an untruth
  10. fine — a penalty
  11. suit — to fit
  12. lie — an untruth
  13. board — to get on
  14. board — a flat piece
  15. rest — a break
  16. season — to add flavour
  17. fine — high quality
  18. patient — calm and waiting
  19. rest — what's left
  20. object — an aim
  21. season — of the year
  22. season — in sport
  23. fine — all right
  24. suit — clothes

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