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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. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  2. The ________________ was transferred to the cardiology ward.
  3. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  4. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  5. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  6. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  7. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  8. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  9. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  10. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  11. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  12. The nurse administered an injection to the ________________.
  13. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  14. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  15. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  16. What do you think of the new ________________?
  17. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  18. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  19. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  20. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  21. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  22. The farmer was ________________ with the unruly horse.
  23. The ________________ took off on time.
  24. We have nothing to ________________ here.

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

Answer key

  1. safe — out of danger
  2. patient — a sick person
  3. cabinet — a cupboard
  4. racket — for tennis
  5. safe — out of danger
  6. board — a committee
  7. plane — a tool
  8. racket — for tennis
  9. plane — in geometry
  10. cabinet — ministers
  11. current — electric
  12. patient — a sick person
  13. racket — a loud noise
  14. hide — animal skin
  15. safe — a strongbox
  16. cabinet — ministers
  17. board — to get on
  18. hide — to keep secret
  19. board — a flat piece
  20. current — of water
  21. current — happening now
  22. patient — calm and waiting
  23. plane — an aircraft
  24. hide — to keep secret

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