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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. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  2. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  3. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  4. When will it ________________ you to start?
  5. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  6. The speedboat left a long ________________ behind it.
  7. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  8. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  9. The farmer was ________________ with the unruly horse.
  10. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  11. The nurse administered an injection to the ________________.
  12. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  13. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  14. Friends gathered at the ________________ to remember him.
  15. The ________________ was transferred to the cardiology ward.
  16. We took cover from the thunder ________________.
  17. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  18. I didn't ________________ up well this morning.
  19. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  20. He's taking a ________________ right now.
  21. That was ________________ to happen.
  22. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  23. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  24. The dagger's metal was presumably from the same meteor ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. leaves — to go away
  2. safe — out of danger
  3. deal — an agreement
  4. suit — to fit
  5. bound — tied together
  6. wake — a trail
  7. bound — obliged
  8. leaves — lets stay
  9. patient — calm and waiting
  10. suit — in cards
  11. patient — a sick person
  12. deal — a big deal
  13. leaves — of a tree
  14. wake — before a funeral
  15. patient — a sick person
  16. shower — rain
  17. safe — a strongbox
  18. wake — to stop sleeping
  19. deal — to handle
  20. shower — to wash
  21. bound — certain
  22. safe — out of danger
  23. suit — clothes
  24. shower — a meteor shower

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