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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. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  2. The farmer was ________________ with the unruly horse.
  3. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  4. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  5. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  6. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  7. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  8. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  9. The ________________ was transferred to the cardiology ward.
  10. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  11. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  12. When will it ________________ you to start?
  13. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  14. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  15. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  16. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  17. The nurse administered an injection to the ________________.
  18. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  19. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  20. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  21. Don't do anything ________________.
  22. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  23. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  24. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?

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

Answer key

  1. pit — in a race
  2. patient — calm and waiting
  3. track — a song
  4. current — of water
  5. wax — for sculpting
  6. wax — to grow
  7. staff — employees
  8. track — a path
  9. patient — a sick person
  10. staff — a stick
  11. rash — a series
  12. suit — to fit
  13. track — to keep track
  14. current — happening now
  15. staff — employees
  16. suit — in cards
  17. patient — a sick person
  18. current — electric
  19. wax — in the ear
  20. pit — a hole
  21. rash — hasty
  22. suit — clothes
  23. rash — on the skin
  24. pit — a fruit stone

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