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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 120 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.

Words on the sheet
468
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: spell · fan · patient · rest · cabinet · fork · season · safe

  1. We came to a ________________ in the road and had no idea which direction to go.
  2. Because of the accident, he'll have a limp for the ________________ of his life.
  3. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  4. We usually eat with a knife, ________________ and spoon.
  5. Use a garden ________________ to turn the soil.
  6. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  7. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  8. Did you ________________ the meat?
  9. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  10. The ________________ was transferred to the cardiology ward.
  11. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  12. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  13. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  14. How do you ________________ your surname?
  15. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  16. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  17. The nurse administered an injection to the ________________.
  18. I would like to have a ________________ here.
  19. The ________________ of the members were all out of tune.
  20. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  21. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  22. What do you think of the new ________________?
  23. The farmer was ________________ with the unruly horse.
  24. Is it ________________ for us to be here?

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

Answer key

  1. fork — in a road
  2. rest — what's left
  3. safe — out of danger
  4. fork — to eat with
  5. fork — a garden tool
  6. cabinet — ministers
  7. fan — to cool the air
  8. season — to add flavour
  9. spell — a short time
  10. patient — a sick person
  11. safe — a strongbox
  12. season — of the year
  13. season — in sport
  14. spell — letters
  15. cabinet — a cupboard
  16. spell — magic
  17. patient — a sick person
  18. rest — a break
  19. rest — what's left
  20. fan — a supporter
  21. fan — a supporter
  22. cabinet — ministers
  23. patient — calm and waiting
  24. safe — out of danger

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