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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.

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: key · safe · foot · jam · mark · patient · wax · lie

  1. The ________________ was transferred to the cardiology ward.
  2. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  3. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  4. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  5. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  6. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  7. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  8. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  9. This piece is in a major ________________.
  10. The farmer was ________________ with the unruly horse.
  11. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  12. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  13. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  14. The nurse administered an injection to the ________________.
  15. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  16. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  17. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  18. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  19. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  20. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  21. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  22. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  23. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  24. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?

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

Answer key

  1. patient — a sick person
  2. mark — a trace
  3. key — for a lock
  4. lie — an untruth
  5. key — the most important part
  6. wax — for sculpting
  7. mark — a grade
  8. lie — to recline
  9. key — in music
  10. patient — calm and waiting
  11. jam — a tight spot
  12. safe — out of danger
  13. foot — a measure
  14. patient — a sick person
  15. foot — part of the body
  16. jam — to spread on bread
  17. jam — in traffic
  18. safe — out of danger
  19. safe — a strongbox
  20. lie — an untruth
  21. mark — to pay attention
  22. foot — the bottom
  23. wax — to grow
  24. wax — in the ear

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