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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 ________________ change colour in autumn.
  2. The ________________ was transferred to the cardiology ward.
  3. The nurse administered an injection to the ________________.
  4. The ________________ was stolen yesterday, along with the balls.
  5. The farmer was ________________ with the unruly horse.
  6. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  7. When I ________________ my fingers, you'll wake up.
  8. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  9. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  10. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  11. The ________________ took off on time.
  12. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  13. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  14. The ________________ hangs upside down in the cave.
  15. Tom didn't even ________________ an eye.
  16. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  17. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  18. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  19. You don't have to ________________ at me like that.
  20. When will it ________________ you to start?
  21. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  22. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  23. ________________ out of it! You haven't done a thing all week.
  24. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.

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

Answer key

  1. leaves — of a tree
  2. patient — a sick person
  3. patient — a sick person
  4. bat — for baseball
  5. patient — calm and waiting
  6. ruler — a monarch
  7. snap — to click
  8. plane — a tool
  9. leaves — to go away
  10. plane — in geometry
  11. plane — an aircraft
  12. board — to get on
  13. board — a committee
  14. bat — the animal
  15. bat — in an idiom
  16. ruler — for measuring
  17. board — a flat piece
  18. ruler — for measuring
  19. snap — to speak sharply
  20. suit — to fit
  21. leaves — lets stay
  22. suit — in cards
  23. snap — to snap out of it
  24. suit — clothes

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