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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 ________________ was transferred to the cardiology ward.
  2. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  3. The farmer was ________________ with the unruly horse.
  4. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  5. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  6. Can you put the ________________ back on the pen?
  7. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  8. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  9. The nurse administered an injection to the ________________.
  10. Have you found your soul ________________?
  11. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  12. Have you met the new head ________________?
  13. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  14. Did you ________________ the meat?
  15. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  16. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  17. The tickets are free of ________________.
  18. The polar ice ________________ is melting.
  19. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  20. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  21. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  22. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  23. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  24. It's best to wear a ________________ on your head during the cold Moscow winters.

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

Answer key

  1. patient — a sick person
  2. season — in sport
  3. patient — calm and waiting
  4. can — a tin
  5. charge — in control
  6. cap — a lid
  7. deal — to handle
  8. coach — a trainer
  9. patient — a sick person
  10. mate — a partner
  11. deal — a big deal
  12. coach — a trainer
  13. mate — a friend
  14. season — to add flavour
  15. can — a tin
  16. season — of the year
  17. charge — a price
  18. cap — of ice
  19. coach — pulled by horses
  20. mate — to breed
  21. deal — an agreement
  22. can — to be able to
  23. charge — electricity
  24. cap — a hat

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