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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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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: pop · fall · ruler · mark · wake · fan · patient · branch

  1. The ________________ was transferred to the cardiology ward.
  2. In the ________________, covers are put over the fans in trains.
  3. The farmer was ________________ with the unruly horse.
  4. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  5. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  6. You don't need to ________________ round.
  7. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  8. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  9. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  10. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  11. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  12. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  13. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  14. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  15. He who climbs up, will ________________ down.
  16. We're almost out of ________________.
  17. The speedboat left a long ________________ behind it.
  18. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  19. Michael Jackson and Prince changed the history of ________________ music.
  20. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  21. Friends gathered at the ________________ to remember him.
  22. My stomach aches so much that I can't ________________ asleep.
  23. I didn't ________________ up well this morning.
  24. The nurse administered an injection to the ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. patient — a sick person
  2. fall — the season
  3. patient — calm and waiting
  4. ruler — for measuring
  5. mark — a grade
  6. pop — to visit
  7. branch — of a bank
  8. fan — a supporter
  9. ruler — a monarch
  10. mark — to pay attention
  11. fan — to cool the air
  12. mark — a trace
  13. ruler — for measuring
  14. branch — a division
  15. fall — to drop
  16. pop — soda
  17. wake — a trail
  18. branch — of a tree
  19. pop — music
  20. fan — a supporter
  21. wake — before a funeral
  22. fall — to drop
  23. wake — to stop sleeping
  24. patient — a sick person

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