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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. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  2. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  3. The ________________ was transferred to the cardiology ward.
  4. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  5. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  6. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  7. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  8. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  9. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  10. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  11. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  12. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  13. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  14. The nurse administered an injection to the ________________.
  15. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  16. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  17. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  18. The farmer was ________________ with the unruly horse.
  19. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  20. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  21. Did you ________________ the meat?
  22. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  23. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  24. The tickets are free of ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. charge — electricity
  2. cue — a signal
  3. patient — a sick person
  4. calf — a young animal
  5. chip — in a computer
  6. calf — of the leg
  7. pass — to spend time
  8. pass — to succeed
  9. season — in sport
  10. cue — for pool
  11. chip — for betting
  12. calf — a young animal
  13. chip — to eat
  14. patient — a sick person
  15. can — a tin
  16. pass — a permit
  17. cue — a hint
  18. patient — calm and waiting
  19. can — to be able to
  20. season — of the year
  21. season — to add flavour
  22. can — a tin
  23. charge — in control
  24. charge — a price

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