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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: board · can · cabinet · wound · patient · branch · safe · foot

  1. The ________________ was transferred to the cardiology ward.
  2. This looks like a gunshot ________________.
  3. What do you think of the new ________________?
  4. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  5. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  6. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  7. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  8. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  9. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  10. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  11. The nurse administered an injection to the ________________.
  12. We ________________ up on opposing sides.
  13. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  14. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  15. The farmer was ________________ with the unruly horse.
  16. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  17. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  18. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  19. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  20. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  21. It's not a deep ________________. It's just a scratch.
  22. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  23. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  24. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.

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

Answer key

  1. patient — a sick person
  2. wound — an injury
  3. cabinet — ministers
  4. safe — a strongbox
  5. branch — of a tree
  6. safe — out of danger
  7. board — a flat piece
  8. can — a tin
  9. foot — a measure
  10. cabinet — a cupboard
  11. patient — a sick person
  12. wound — past of 'wind'
  13. foot — part of the body
  14. board — to get on
  15. patient — calm and waiting
  16. cabinet — ministers
  17. branch — a division
  18. foot — the bottom
  19. can — to be able to
  20. can — a tin
  21. wound — an injury
  22. safe — out of danger
  23. board — a committee
  24. branch — of a bank

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