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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: patient · ruler · bulb · suit · fan · season · safe · bound

  1. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  2. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  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. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  6. I've got to change the light ________________.
  7. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  8. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  9. That was ________________ to happen.
  10. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  11. Did you ________________ the meat?
  12. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  13. The nurse administered an injection to the ________________.
  14. The light ________________ burned out.
  15. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  16. The ________________ was transferred to the cardiology ward.
  17. When will it ________________ you to start?
  18. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  19. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  20. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  21. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  22. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  23. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  24. Spring is a pleasant ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. season — in sport
  2. bound — obliged
  3. patient — calm and waiting
  4. ruler — for measuring
  5. safe — a strongbox
  6. bulb — for light
  7. ruler — for measuring
  8. fan — to cool the air
  9. bound — certain
  10. ruler — a monarch
  11. season — to add flavour
  12. bulb — of a plant
  13. patient — a sick person
  14. bulb — for light
  15. safe — out of danger
  16. patient — a sick person
  17. suit — to fit
  18. fan — a supporter
  19. fan — a supporter
  20. bound — tied together
  21. suit — clothes
  22. safe — out of danger
  23. suit — in cards
  24. season — of the year

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