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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 116 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 in each sentence. Each word is used more than once, with a different meaning each time.

  1. The ________________ was transferred to the cardiology ward.
  2. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  3. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  4. He's quite ________________, isn't he?
  5. Have you met the new head ________________?
  6. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  7. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  8. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  9. The nurse administered an injection to the ________________.
  10. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  11. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  12. It's one o'clock ________________.
  13. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  14. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  15. I can't ________________ this cold.
  16. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  17. What do you think of the new ________________?
  18. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  19. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  20. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  21. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  22. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  23. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  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. patient — a sick person
  2. cabinet — a cupboard
  3. board — a committee
  4. sharp — clever
  5. coach — a trainer
  6. branch — a division
  7. board — a flat piece
  8. stand — for spectators
  9. patient — a sick person
  10. cabinet — ministers
  11. board — to get on
  12. sharp — exactly
  13. branch — of a bank
  14. branch — of a tree
  15. stand — to bear
  16. sharp — with an edge
  17. cabinet — ministers
  18. current — electric
  19. stand — on your feet
  20. current — happening now
  21. coach — a trainer
  22. coach — pulled by horses
  23. current — of water
  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