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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. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  2. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  3. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  4. Did you ________________ the meat?
  5. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  6. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  7. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  8. The nurse administered an injection to the ________________.
  9. I've got to change the light ________________.
  10. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  11. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  12. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  13. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  14. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  15. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  16. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  17. The light ________________ burned out.
  18. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  19. The ________________ was transferred to the cardiology ward.
  20. The tickets are free of ________________.
  21. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  22. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  23. The farmer was ________________ with the unruly horse.
  24. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.

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

Answer key

  1. wave — of the sea
  2. charge — in control
  3. mouse — the animal
  4. season — to add flavour
  5. staff — employees
  6. season — in sport
  7. wave — a sudden rise
  8. patient — a sick person
  9. bulb — for light
  10. staff — a stick
  11. charge — electricity
  12. bulb — of a plant
  13. mouse — for a computer
  14. toast — bread
  15. toast — a drink to someone
  16. mouse — the animal
  17. bulb — for light
  18. wave — with your hand
  19. patient — a sick person
  20. charge — a price
  21. staff — employees
  22. season — of the year
  23. patient — calm and waiting
  24. toast — the most admired

Multiple-meaning words list

Tick up to 10 words to build a worksheet with just those words.

Make a worksheet (0 words)

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