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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: sharp · cue · root · temple · ruler · wound · patient · firm

  1. He's quite ________________, isn't he?
  2. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  3. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  4. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  5. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  6. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  7. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  8. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  9. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  10. The nurse administered an injection to the ________________.
  11. The ________________ was transferred to the cardiology ward.
  12. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  13. It's one o'clock ________________.
  14. When was this ________________ built?
  15. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  16. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  17. We ________________ up on opposing sides.
  18. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  19. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  20. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  21. The farmer was ________________ with the unruly horse.
  22. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  23. This looks like a gunshot ________________.
  24. It's not a deep ________________. It's just a scratch.

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

Answer key

  1. sharp — clever
  2. firm — decided
  3. cue — for pool
  4. firm — steady
  5. sharp — with an edge
  6. ruler — for measuring
  7. ruler — a monarch
  8. root — the cause
  9. firm — a company
  10. patient — a sick person
  11. patient — a sick person
  12. root — of a plant
  13. sharp — exactly
  14. temple — a place of worship
  15. ruler — for measuring
  16. root — of a word
  17. wound — past of 'wind'
  18. temple — side of the head
  19. cue — a signal
  20. cue — a hint
  21. patient — calm and waiting
  22. temple — a place of worship
  23. wound — an injury
  24. wound — an injury

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