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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. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  2. The farmer was ________________ with the unruly horse.
  3. I can't ________________ this cold.
  4. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  5. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  6. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  7. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  8. The ________________ was transferred to the cardiology ward.
  9. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  10. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  11. The ________________ went through the wall.
  12. The nurse administered an injection to the ________________.
  13. You don't need to ________________ round.
  14. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  15. The light ________________ burned out.
  16. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  17. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  18. We're almost out of ________________.
  19. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  20. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  21. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  22. Michael Jackson and Prince changed the history of ________________ music.
  23. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  24. I've got to change the light ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. nail — for a hammer
  2. patient — calm and waiting
  3. stand — to bear
  4. staff — employees
  5. hide — animal skin
  6. track — to keep track
  7. staff — employees
  8. patient — a sick person
  9. hide — to keep secret
  10. bulb — of a plant
  11. nail — for a hammer
  12. patient — a sick person
  13. pop — to visit
  14. track — a song
  15. bulb — for light
  16. staff — a stick
  17. stand — for spectators
  18. pop — soda
  19. stand — on your feet
  20. hide — to keep secret
  21. track — a path
  22. pop — music
  23. nail — on a finger
  24. bulb — for light

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