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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.

Words on the sheet
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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: current · scale · patient · game · net · plane · object · foot

  1. The ________________ was transferred to the cardiology ward.
  2. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  3. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  4. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  5. The farmer was ________________ with the unruly horse.
  6. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  7. That was a fun ________________.
  8. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  9. The ________________ took off on time.
  10. He took the fish out of the ________________.
  11. What was your ________________ profit last year?
  12. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  13. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  14. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  15. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  16. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  17. The pointer is employed to find upland ________________.
  18. The nurse administered an injection to the ________________.
  19. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  20. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  21. The ball hit the back of the ________________.
  22. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  23. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  24. Roulette is a ________________ of chance.

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

Answer key

  1. patient — a sick person
  2. scale — for weighing
  3. current — of water
  4. object — an aim
  5. patient — calm and waiting
  6. scale — size or range
  7. game — a match
  8. object — to protest
  9. plane — an aircraft
  10. net — for catching
  11. net — after costs
  12. object — a thing
  13. foot — a measure
  14. plane — a tool
  15. foot — the bottom
  16. foot — part of the body
  17. game — wild animals
  18. patient — a sick person
  19. plane — in geometry
  20. current — happening now
  21. net — in sport
  22. current — electric
  23. scale — in music
  24. game — a kind of play

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