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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.

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: lash · patient · coach · bore · spell · safe · ruler · key

  1. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  2. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  3. The ________________ was transferred to the cardiology ward.
  4. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  5. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  6. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  7. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  8. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  9. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  10. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  11. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  12. How do you ________________ your surname?
  13. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  14. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  15. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  16. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  17. Have you met the new head ________________?
  18. The farmer was ________________ with the unruly horse.
  19. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  20. The nurse administered an injection to the ________________.
  21. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  22. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  23. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  24. This piece is in a major ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. key — the most important part
  2. lash — an eyelash
  3. patient — a sick person
  4. bore — to drill
  5. safe — out of danger
  6. lash — to lash out
  7. spell — magic
  8. coach — pulled by horses
  9. bore — gave birth
  10. ruler — for measuring
  11. ruler — a monarch
  12. spell — letters
  13. bore — to tire
  14. coach — a trainer
  15. safe — out of danger
  16. key — for a lock
  17. coach — a trainer
  18. patient — calm and waiting
  19. lash — a whip stroke
  20. patient — a sick person
  21. spell — a short time
  22. ruler — for measuring
  23. safe — a strongbox
  24. key — in music

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