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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: chip · suit · bear · patient · safe · court · fine · club

  1. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  2. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  3. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  4. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  5. I belonged to the harmonica ________________ in my high school days.
  6. The ________________ found him guilty of stealing money.
  7. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  8. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  9. The nurse administered an injection to the ________________.
  10. The ball is in your ________________.
  11. My rich neighbors belong to a private golf ________________.
  12. The ________________ was transferred to the cardiology ward.
  13. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  14. Later, his shop becomes a ________________ with young dancers.
  15. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  16. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  17. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  18. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  19. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  20. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  21. When a clown is made king, the ________________ becomes a circus.
  22. When will it ________________ you to start?
  23. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  24. The farmer was ________________ with the unruly horse.

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

Answer key

  1. chip — for betting
  2. suit — clothes
  3. safe — out of danger
  4. fine — high quality
  5. club — a group
  6. court — of law
  7. bear — the animal
  8. bear — the animal
  9. patient — a sick person
  10. court — for sport
  11. club — for golf
  12. patient — a sick person
  13. chip — to eat
  14. club — for dancing
  15. safe — out of danger
  16. suit — in cards
  17. bear — to put up with
  18. chip — in a computer
  19. fine — a penalty
  20. fine — all right
  21. court — of a king
  22. suit — to fit
  23. safe — a strongbox
  24. patient — calm and waiting

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