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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. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  2. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  3. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  4. The King held a masked ________________.
  5. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  6. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  7. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  8. The ________________ was transferred to the cardiology ward.
  9. The nurse administered an injection to the ________________.
  10. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  11. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  12. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  13. The farmer was ________________ with the unruly horse.
  14. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  15. This piece is in a major ________________.
  16. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  17. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  18. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  19. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  20. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  21. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  22. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  23. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  24. Don't do anything ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. safe — out of danger
  2. ball — a round shape
  3. key — for a lock
  4. ball — a dance
  5. racket — for tennis
  6. safe — a strongbox
  7. safe — out of danger
  8. patient — a sick person
  9. patient — a sick person
  10. lie — an untruth
  11. leaves — of a tree
  12. leaves — lets stay
  13. patient — calm and waiting
  14. rash — a series
  15. key — in music
  16. leaves — to go away
  17. lie — an untruth
  18. rash — on the skin
  19. racket — a loud noise
  20. lie — to recline
  21. ball — a great time
  22. racket — for tennis
  23. key — the most important part
  24. rash — hasty

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