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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 little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  2. I belonged to the harmonica ________________ in my high school days.
  3. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  4. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  5. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  6. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  7. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  8. Have you met the new head ________________?
  9. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  10. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  11. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  12. The farmer was ________________ with the unruly horse.
  13. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  14. The ________________ was transferred to the cardiology ward.
  15. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  16. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  17. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  18. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  19. My rich neighbors belong to a private golf ________________.
  20. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  21. The nurse administered an injection to the ________________.
  22. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  23. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  24. Later, his shop becomes a ________________ with young dancers.

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

Answer key

  1. bear — the animal
  2. club — a group
  3. coach — a trainer
  4. stick — to attach or keep to
  5. safe — out of danger
  6. leaves — of a tree
  7. leaves — lets stay
  8. coach — a trainer
  9. racket — for tennis
  10. bear — to put up with
  11. coach — pulled by horses
  12. patient — calm and waiting
  13. racket — a loud noise
  14. patient — a sick person
  15. racket — for tennis
  16. bear — the animal
  17. stick — a piece of wood
  18. leaves — to go away
  19. club — for golf
  20. stick — a piece of wood
  21. patient — a sick person
  22. safe — out of danger
  23. safe — a strongbox
  24. club — for dancing

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