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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.

Words on the sheet
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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: fan · bay · patient · safe · leaves · bank · racket · squash

  1. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  2. The farmer was ________________ with the unruly horse.
  3. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  4. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  5. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  6. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  7. The president vowed to ________________ the mutiny.
  8. Cut the butternut ________________ into one-inch cubes.
  9. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  10. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  11. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  12. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  13. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  14. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  15. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  16. The ________________ was transferred to the cardiology ward.
  17. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  18. My mare is ________________ in color.
  19. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  20. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  21. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  22. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  23. The nurse administered an injection to the ________________.
  24. I'd like to play a game of ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. leaves — of a tree
  2. patient — calm and waiting
  3. fan — to cool the air
  4. fan — a supporter
  5. bank — for money
  6. bay — to keep at bay
  7. squash — to crush
  8. squash — the vegetable
  9. bank — of a river
  10. fan — a supporter
  11. safe — out of danger
  12. safe — out of danger
  13. leaves — lets stay
  14. racket — for tennis
  15. bank — for money
  16. patient — a sick person
  17. safe — a strongbox
  18. bay — a horse colour
  19. racket — a loud noise
  20. leaves — to go away
  21. racket — for tennis
  22. bay — a part of the sea
  23. patient — a sick person
  24. squash — the sport

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