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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. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  2. The nurse administered an injection to the ________________.
  3. He's quite ________________, isn't he?
  4. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  5. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  6. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  7. It's one o'clock ________________.
  8. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  9. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  10. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  11. The farmer was ________________ with the unruly horse.
  12. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  13. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  14. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  15. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  16. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  17. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  18. The ________________ was transferred to the cardiology ward.
  19. Have you met the new head ________________?
  20. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  21. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  22. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  23. My mare is ________________ in color.
  24. This knife is not ________________ enough.

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

Answer key

  1. lie — to recline
  2. patient — a sick person
  3. sharp — clever
  4. bay — a part of the sea
  5. toast — bread
  6. bay — to keep at bay
  7. sharp — exactly
  8. branch — a division
  9. branch — of a bank
  10. safe — out of danger
  11. patient — calm and waiting
  12. safe — out of danger
  13. branch — of a tree
  14. lie — an untruth
  15. coach — a trainer
  16. toast — a drink to someone
  17. safe — a strongbox
  18. patient — a sick person
  19. coach — a trainer
  20. lie — an untruth
  21. coach — pulled by horses
  22. toast — the most admired
  23. bay — a horse colour
  24. sharp — with an edge

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