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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. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  3. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  4. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  5. I've got to change the light ________________.
  6. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  7. He works in a ________________ mill.
  8. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  9. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  10. I can't ________________ this cold.
  11. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  12. Where did you ________________ them?
  13. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  14. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  15. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  16. The nurse administered an injection to the ________________.
  17. The light ________________ burned out.
  18. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  19. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  20. She's very handy with a ________________.
  21. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  22. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  23. The farmer was ________________ with the unruly horse.
  24. Don't do anything ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. patient — a sick person
  2. stand — for spectators
  3. rock — music
  4. bore — to drill
  5. bulb — for light
  6. stand — on your feet
  7. saw — the tool
  8. rock — a stone
  9. rash — on the skin
  10. stand — to bear
  11. saw — past of 'see'
  12. mug — to rob
  13. mug — a cup
  14. rock — to move gently
  15. rash — a series
  16. patient — a sick person
  17. bulb — for light
  18. bore — to tire
  19. mug — a face
  20. saw — the tool
  21. bulb — of a plant
  22. bore — gave birth
  23. patient — calm and waiting
  24. rash — hasty

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