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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. He put a rubber ________________ around the bundle of letters.
  2. The tickets are free of ________________.
  3. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  4. He still wears his gold wedding ________________.
  5. The room was ________________ black, so I couldn't see a thing.
  6. The ________________ was transferred to the cardiology ward.
  7. That was ________________ to happen.
  8. The nurse administered an injection to the ________________.
  9. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  10. He's the lead singer in a rock ________________.
  11. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  12. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  13. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  14. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  15. The farmer was ________________ with the unruly horse.
  16. She's preparing to ________________ her idea to the investors.
  17. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  18. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  19. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  20. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  21. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  22. The players ran onto the football ________________.
  23. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  24. Where can I ________________ my mobile?

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

Answer key

  1. band — a rubber band
  2. charge — a price
  3. deal — to handle
  4. band — a ring
  5. pitch — completely
  6. patient — a sick person
  7. bound — certain
  8. patient — a sick person
  9. cue — a hint
  10. band — a music group
  11. deal — a big deal
  12. safe — out of danger
  13. deal — an agreement
  14. bound — tied together
  15. patient — calm and waiting
  16. pitch — a sales talk
  17. safe — out of danger
  18. cue — a signal
  19. bound — obliged
  20. charge — in control
  21. cue — for pool
  22. pitch — a sports field
  23. safe — a strongbox
  24. charge — electricity

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