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

Word bank: jam · rush · mark · pitcher · lash · foot · patient · pass

  1. The ________________ was transferred to the cardiology ward.
  2. The nurse administered an injection to the ________________.
  3. That must've been a ________________.
  4. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  5. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  6. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  7. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  8. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  9. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  10. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  11. The farmer was ________________ with the unruly horse.
  12. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  13. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  14. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  15. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  16. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  17. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  18. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  19. He is an ace ________________.
  20. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  21. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  22. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  23. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  24. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.

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. rush — a thrill
  4. mark — a grade
  5. foot — a measure
  6. lash — a whip stroke
  7. pass — to spend time
  8. lash — an eyelash
  9. pass — to succeed
  10. pass — a permit
  11. patient — calm and waiting
  12. rush — to hurry
  13. pitcher — a jug
  14. jam — in traffic
  15. foot — part of the body
  16. jam — a tight spot
  17. rush — hurry
  18. foot — the bottom
  19. pitcher — in baseball
  20. mark — to pay attention
  21. jam — to spread on bread
  22. mark — a trace
  23. lash — to lash out
  24. pitcher — a jug

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