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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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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: deal · bear · suit · arm · patient · date · ruler · bowl

  1. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  2. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  3. The nurse administered an injection to the ________________.
  4. Why do cosmetics have an expiration ________________?
  5. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  6. My father caught me by the ________________.
  7. The ________________ was transferred to the cardiology ward.
  8. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  9. Have you settled on a ________________?
  10. When will it ________________ you to start?
  11. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  12. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  13. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  14. The farmer was ________________ with the unruly horse.
  15. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  16. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  17. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  18. A ________________ is a sweet brown fruit from a palm tree.
  19. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  20. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  21. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  22. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  23. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  24. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — for measuring
  2. deal — a big deal
  3. patient — a sick person
  4. date — on the calendar
  5. deal — an agreement
  6. arm — part of the body
  7. patient — a sick person
  8. bear — the animal
  9. date — on the calendar
  10. suit — to fit
  11. bear — the animal
  12. bowl — a football final
  13. ruler — a monarch
  14. patient — calm and waiting
  15. arm — part of the body
  16. suit — clothes
  17. bowl — to roll
  18. date — the fruit
  19. suit — in cards
  20. ruler — for measuring
  21. deal — to handle
  22. bear — to put up with
  23. arm — a part of something
  24. bowl — a dish

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