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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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Word bank
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Multiple-Meaning Words

Name: ____________________Date: __________

Write the missing word from the word bank in each sentence. Each word is used more than once, with a different meaning each time.

Word bank: bore · cabinet · patient · plane · bank · chip · deal · bound

  1. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  2. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  3. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  4. That was ________________ to happen.
  5. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  6. The nurse administered an injection to the ________________.
  7. The ________________ took off on time.
  8. The ________________ was transferred to the cardiology ward.
  9. What do you think of the new ________________?
  10. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  11. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  12. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  13. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  14. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  15. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  16. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  17. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  18. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  19. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  20. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  21. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  22. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  23. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  24. The farmer was ________________ with the unruly horse.

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

Answer key

  1. bank — for money
  2. cabinet — a cupboard
  3. deal — to handle
  4. bound — certain
  5. plane — a tool
  6. patient — a sick person
  7. plane — an aircraft
  8. patient — a sick person
  9. cabinet — ministers
  10. chip — in a computer
  11. deal — an agreement
  12. chip — for betting
  13. bore — to tire
  14. deal — a big deal
  15. chip — to eat
  16. bore — to drill
  17. plane — in geometry
  18. bound — tied together
  19. cabinet — ministers
  20. bank — for money
  21. bank — of a river
  22. bound — obliged
  23. bore — gave birth
  24. patient — calm and waiting

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