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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. I've got to change the light ________________.
  3. The light ________________ burned out.
  4. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  5. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  6. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  7. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  8. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  9. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  10. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  11. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  12. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  13. That must've been a ________________.
  14. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  15. The farmer was ________________ with the unruly horse.
  16. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  17. The King held a masked ________________.
  18. Did you ________________ the meat?
  19. The nurse administered an injection to the ________________.
  20. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  21. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  22. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  23. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  24. He hit the ball with his ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. patient — a sick person
  2. bulb — for light
  3. bulb — for light
  4. staff — employees
  5. rush — to hurry
  6. bulb — of a plant
  7. racket — a loud noise
  8. ball — a round shape
  9. racket — for tennis
  10. safe — a strongbox
  11. rush — hurry
  12. staff — a stick
  13. rush — a thrill
  14. season — in sport
  15. patient — calm and waiting
  16. safe — out of danger
  17. ball — a dance
  18. season — to add flavour
  19. patient — a sick person
  20. staff — employees
  21. season — of the year
  22. ball — a great time
  23. safe — out of danger
  24. racket — for tennis

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