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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 120 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. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  3. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  4. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  5. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  6. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  7. The nurse administered an injection to the ________________.
  8. The farmer was ________________ with the unruly horse.
  9. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  10. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  11. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  12. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  13. That was ________________ to happen.
  14. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  15. That must've been a ________________.
  16. When will it ________________ you to start?
  17. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  18. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  19. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  20. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  21. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  22. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  23. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  24. The moon will ________________ and wane.

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

Answer key

  1. patient — a sick person
  2. suit — in cards
  3. stick — to attach or keep to
  4. rush — hurry
  5. bound — tied together
  6. dip — to dunk
  7. patient — a sick person
  8. patient — calm and waiting
  9. foot — a measure
  10. stick — a piece of wood
  11. wax — in the ear
  12. stick — a piece of wood
  13. bound — certain
  14. wax — for sculpting
  15. rush — a thrill
  16. suit — to fit
  17. foot — the bottom
  18. bound — obliged
  19. foot — part of the body
  20. rush — to hurry
  21. suit — clothes
  22. dip — to sink
  23. dip — a sauce
  24. wax — to grow

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