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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 speedboat left a long ________________ behind it.
  2. The ________________ was transferred to the cardiology ward.
  3. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  4. The tickets are free of ________________.
  5. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  6. The farmer was ________________ with the unruly horse.
  7. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  8. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  9. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  10. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  11. I didn't ________________ up well this morning.
  12. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  13. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  14. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  15. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  16. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  17. Friends gathered at the ________________ to remember him.
  18. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  19. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  20. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  21. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  22. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  23. The nurse administered an injection to the ________________.
  24. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.

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

Answer key

  1. wake — a trail
  2. patient — a sick person
  3. rock — to move gently
  4. charge — a price
  5. fine — a penalty
  6. patient — calm and waiting
  7. branch — of a tree
  8. charge — electricity
  9. lie — to recline
  10. charge — in control
  11. wake — to stop sleeping
  12. safe — out of danger
  13. fine — high quality
  14. safe — a strongbox
  15. rock — a stone
  16. lie — an untruth
  17. wake — before a funeral
  18. lie — an untruth
  19. rock — music
  20. branch — a division
  21. safe — out of danger
  22. fine — all right
  23. patient — a sick person
  24. branch — of a bank

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