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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: lean · racket · charge · bass · coach · rock · jam · patient

  1. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  2. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  3. The ________________ was transferred to the cardiology ward.
  4. The nurse administered an injection to the ________________.
  5. He is as ________________ as a wolf.
  6. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  7. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  8. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  9. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  10. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  11. The tickets are free of ________________.
  12. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  13. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  14. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  15. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  16. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  17. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  18. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  19. Have you met the new head ________________?
  20. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  21. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  22. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  23. The farmer was ________________ with the unruly horse.
  24. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.

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

Answer key

  1. rock — a stone
  2. racket — for tennis
  3. patient — a sick person
  4. patient — a sick person
  5. lean — thin
  6. coach — a trainer
  7. jam — to spread on bread
  8. jam — a tight spot
  9. charge — electricity
  10. rock — to move gently
  11. charge — a price
  12. lean — to bend
  13. jam — in traffic
  14. coach — pulled by horses
  15. racket — a loud noise
  16. bass — low music
  17. racket — for tennis
  18. bass — the fish
  19. coach — a trainer
  20. bass — the instrument
  21. lean — to rest against
  22. rock — music
  23. patient — calm and waiting
  24. charge — in control

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