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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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Word bank
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Multiple-Meaning Words

Name: ____________________Date: __________

Write the missing word from the word bank in each sentence. Each word is used more than once, with a different meaning each time.

Word bank: temple · object · patient · bulb · spell · current · ruler · jam

  1. The nurse administered an injection to the ________________.
  2. The ________________ was transferred to the cardiology ward.
  3. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  4. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  5. The light ________________ burned out.
  6. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  7. When was this ________________ built?
  8. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  9. The farmer was ________________ with the unruly horse.
  10. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  11. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  12. How do you ________________ your surname?
  13. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  14. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  15. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  16. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  17. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  18. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  19. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  20. I've got to change the light ________________.
  21. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  22. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  23. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  24. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. patient — a sick person
  2. patient — a sick person
  3. ruler — a monarch
  4. object — an aim
  5. bulb — for light
  6. spell — magic
  7. temple — a place of worship
  8. temple — side of the head
  9. patient — calm and waiting
  10. object — a thing
  11. current — happening now
  12. spell — letters
  13. current — of water
  14. jam — to spread on bread
  15. jam — a tight spot
  16. spell — a short time
  17. temple — a place of worship
  18. ruler — for measuring
  19. object — to protest
  20. bulb — for light
  21. current — electric
  22. ruler — for measuring
  23. bulb — of a plant
  24. jam — in traffic

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