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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.

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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: stand · perch · safe · saw · cue · patient · rock · can

  1. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  2. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  3. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  4. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  5. The ________________ was transferred to the cardiology ward.
  6. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  7. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  8. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  9. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  10. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  11. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  12. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  13. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  14. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  15. She's very handy with a ________________.
  16. He works in a ________________ mill.
  17. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  18. The nurse administered an injection to the ________________.
  19. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  20. I can't ________________ this cold.
  21. The farmer was ________________ with the unruly horse.
  22. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  23. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  24. ________________ you help me carry this box?

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

Answer key

  1. stand — for spectators
  2. stand — on your feet
  3. saw — past of 'see'
  4. safe — out of danger
  5. patient — a sick person
  6. safe — a strongbox
  7. rock — music
  8. cue — a signal
  9. cue — a hint
  10. perch — the fish
  11. rock — to move gently
  12. cue — for pool
  13. rock — a stone
  14. perch — for a bird
  15. saw — the tool
  16. saw — the tool
  17. safe — out of danger
  18. patient — a sick person
  19. perch — for a bird
  20. stand — to bear
  21. patient — calm and waiting
  22. can — a tin
  23. can — a tin
  24. can — to be able to

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