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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 newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  4. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  5. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  6. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  7. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  8. Roulette is a ________________ of chance.
  9. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  10. The nurse administered an injection to the ________________.
  11. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  12. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  13. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  14. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  15. That was a fun ________________.
  16. The tickets are free of ________________.
  17. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  18. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  19. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  20. I'll be taking the ________________.
  21. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  22. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  23. The farmer was ________________ with the unruly horse.
  24. The pointer is employed to find upland ________________.

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. foot — the bottom
  4. staff — a stick
  5. pass — to spend time
  6. tube — in a tire
  7. staff — employees
  8. game — a kind of play
  9. foot — part of the body
  10. patient — a sick person
  11. pit — a fruit stone
  12. charge — electricity
  13. pit — in a race
  14. foot — a measure
  15. game — a match
  16. charge — a price
  17. tube — a container
  18. pass — a permit
  19. staff — employees
  20. tube — the underground
  21. pit — a hole
  22. pass — to succeed
  23. patient — calm and waiting
  24. game — wild animals

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