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

  1. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  2. The ________________ was transferred to the cardiology ward.
  3. The tickets are free of ________________.
  4. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  5. When will it ________________ you to start?
  6. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  7. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  8. He hasn't even shaken my ________________.
  9. Do you need a ________________ with that?
  10. What's the difference between broth and ________________?
  11. The ________________ market has crashed.
  12. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  13. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  14. I got dealt a bad ________________.
  15. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  16. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  17. He is an ace ________________.
  18. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  19. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  20. The nurse administered an injection to the ________________.
  21. The supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.
  22. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  23. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  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. charge — in control
  2. patient — a sick person
  3. charge — a price
  4. leaves — lets stay
  5. suit — to fit
  6. lie — to recline
  7. lie — an untruth
  8. hand — part of the body
  9. hand — help
  10. stock — a soup base
  11. stock — shares
  12. suit — in cards
  13. leaves — to go away
  14. hand — in cards
  15. lie — an untruth
  16. suit — clothes
  17. pitcher — in baseball
  18. pitcher — a jug
  19. pitcher — a jug
  20. patient — a sick person
  21. stock — goods
  22. leaves — of a tree
  23. charge — electricity
  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