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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
468
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: temple · track · patient · sharp · root · safe · coach · march

  1. His birthday is in either ________________ or April.
  2. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  3. The nurse administered an injection to the ________________.
  4. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  5. The ________________ was transferred to the cardiology ward.
  6. He's quite ________________, isn't he?
  7. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  8. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  9. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  10. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  11. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  12. When was this ________________ built?
  13. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  14. The band played a military ________________ at the parade.
  15. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  16. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  17. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  18. Have you met the new head ________________?
  19. It's one o'clock ________________.
  20. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  21. We will have lived in Kyoto for eight years next ________________.
  22. The farmer was ________________ with the unruly horse.
  23. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  24. He has no idea where the ________________ is.

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

Answer key

  1. march — the month
  2. root — the cause
  3. patient — a sick person
  4. root — of a plant
  5. patient — a sick person
  6. sharp — clever
  7. track — a path
  8. root — of a word
  9. sharp — with an edge
  10. coach — pulled by horses
  11. track — a song
  12. temple — a place of worship
  13. safe — out of danger
  14. march — music
  15. temple — side of the head
  16. coach — a trainer
  17. safe — out of danger
  18. coach — a trainer
  19. sharp — exactly
  20. temple — a place of worship
  21. march — the month
  22. patient — calm and waiting
  23. track — to keep track
  24. safe — a strongbox

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