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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 ________________ was transferred to the cardiology ward.
  2. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  3. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  4. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  5. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  6. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  7. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  8. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  9. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  10. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  11. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  12. The farmer was ________________ with the unruly horse.
  13. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  14. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  15. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  16. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  17. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  18. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  19. The nurse administered an injection to the ________________.
  20. That was ________________ to happen.
  21. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  22. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  23. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  24. The spa offers ________________ extensions.

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

Answer key

  1. patient — a sick person
  2. ruler — for measuring
  3. mark — a grade
  4. wave — of the sea
  5. bound — obliged
  6. fan — to cool the air
  7. rock — to move gently
  8. rock — a stone
  9. fan — a supporter
  10. ruler — for measuring
  11. rock — music
  12. patient — calm and waiting
  13. lash — a whip stroke
  14. wave — with your hand
  15. mark — a trace
  16. wave — a sudden rise
  17. ruler — a monarch
  18. mark — to pay attention
  19. patient — a sick person
  20. bound — certain
  21. fan — a supporter
  22. bound — tied together
  23. lash — to lash out
  24. lash — an eyelash

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