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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. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  3. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  4. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  5. The nurse administered an injection to the ________________.
  6. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  7. The farmer was ________________ with the unruly horse.
  8. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  9. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  10. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  11. We will have lived in Kyoto for eight years next ________________.
  12. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  13. The band played a military ________________ at the parade.
  14. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  15. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  16. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  17. His birthday is in either ________________ or April.
  18. Have you met the new head ________________?
  19. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  20. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  21. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  22. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  23. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  24. The ________________ took off on time.

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

Answer key

  1. patient — a sick person
  2. wave — of the sea
  3. bear — the animal
  4. wave — a sudden rise
  5. patient — a sick person
  6. fan — to cool the air
  7. patient — calm and waiting
  8. coach — a trainer
  9. fan — a supporter
  10. plane — a tool
  11. march — the month
  12. safe — a strongbox
  13. march — music
  14. safe — out of danger
  15. fan — a supporter
  16. plane — in geometry
  17. march — the month
  18. coach — a trainer
  19. bear — to put up with
  20. wave — with your hand
  21. safe — out of danger
  22. coach — pulled by horses
  23. bear — the animal
  24. plane — an aircraft

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