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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 116 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: key · rush · patient · safe · stem · can · bound · bowl

  1. This piece is in a major ________________.
  2. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  3. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  4. Scientists study ________________ cells to repair damaged tissue.
  5. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  6. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  7. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  8. The big green plant was starting to droop at the ________________.
  9. That must've been a ________________.
  10. The farmer was ________________ with the unruly horse.
  11. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  12. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  13. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  14. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  15. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  16. The nurse administered an injection to the ________________.
  17. That was ________________ to happen.
  18. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  19. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  20. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  21. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  22. The ________________ was transferred to the cardiology ward.
  23. Many English words ________________ from Latin.
  24. You shouldn't ________________ things.

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

Answer key

  1. key — in music
  2. can — a tin
  3. key — for a lock
  4. stem — a stem cell
  5. can — a tin
  6. safe — a strongbox
  7. can — to be able to
  8. stem — of a plant
  9. rush — a thrill
  10. patient — calm and waiting
  11. safe — out of danger
  12. bound — tied together
  13. bound — obliged
  14. bowl — a football final
  15. bowl — to roll
  16. patient — a sick person
  17. bound — certain
  18. key — the most important part
  19. rush — hurry
  20. safe — out of danger
  21. bowl — a dish
  22. patient — a sick person
  23. stem — to come from
  24. rush — to hurry

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