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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. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  2. The nurse administered an injection to the ________________.
  3. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  4. The room was ________________ black, so I couldn't see a thing.
  5. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  6. She's preparing to ________________ her idea to the investors.
  7. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  8. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  9. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  10. The ________________ was transferred to the cardiology ward.
  11. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  12. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  13. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  14. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  15. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  16. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  17. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  18. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  19. Where did you ________________ them?
  20. The farmer was ________________ with the unruly horse.
  21. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  22. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  23. The players ran onto the football ________________.
  24. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.

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

Answer key

  1. current — electric
  2. patient — a sick person
  3. bore — gave birth
  4. pitch — completely
  5. current — happening now
  6. pitch — a sales talk
  7. bore — to drill
  8. mug — a cup
  9. root — of a word
  10. patient — a sick person
  11. toast — bread
  12. ruler — for measuring
  13. mug — a face
  14. bore — to tire
  15. ruler — for measuring
  16. ruler — a monarch
  17. toast — a drink to someone
  18. root — of a plant
  19. mug — to rob
  20. patient — calm and waiting
  21. current — of water
  22. toast — the most admired
  23. pitch — a sports field
  24. root — the cause

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