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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. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  2. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  3. The nurse administered an injection to the ________________.
  4. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  5. Atomic bombs are a danger to the human ________________.
  6. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  7. Winning one ________________ isn't the same as dominating a sport.
  8. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  9. The farmer was ________________ with the unruly horse.
  10. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  11. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  12. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  13. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  14. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  15. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  16. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  17. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  18. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  19. Only by prohibiting all nuclear weapons, we can together stop the arms ________________.
  20. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  21. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  22. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  23. The ________________ was transferred to the cardiology ward.
  24. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.

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

Answer key

  1. pit — in a race
  2. deal — to handle
  3. patient — a sick person
  4. safe — a strongbox
  5. race — humankind
  6. jam — in traffic
  7. race — a contest
  8. jam — to spread on bread
  9. patient — calm and waiting
  10. jam — a tight spot
  11. calf — a young animal
  12. leaves — lets stay
  13. calf — of the leg
  14. deal — an agreement
  15. leaves — to go away
  16. calf — a young animal
  17. pit — a hole
  18. safe — out of danger
  19. race — the arms race
  20. deal — a big deal
  21. pit — a fruit stone
  22. leaves — of a tree
  23. patient — a sick person
  24. safe — out of danger

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