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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: patient · present · current · root · rush · board · suit · pass

  1. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  2. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  3. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  4. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  5. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  6. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  7. That must've been a ________________.
  8. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  9. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  10. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  11. The nurse administered an injection to the ________________.
  12. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  13. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  14. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  15. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  16. The ________________ was transferred to the cardiology ward.
  17. Actually, the ________________ method has plenty of room for improvement.
  18. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  19. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  20. My partner was ________________ at the birth of our baby.
  21. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  22. When will it ________________ you to start?
  23. The farmer was ________________ with the unruly horse.
  24. Did you get a birthday ________________ for him this year?

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

Answer key

  1. root — of a word
  2. current — electric
  3. current — happening now
  4. root — the cause
  5. pass — a permit
  6. board — to get on
  7. rush — a thrill
  8. suit — clothes
  9. current — of water
  10. board — a committee
  11. patient — a sick person
  12. pass — to spend time
  13. rush — hurry
  14. suit — in cards
  15. pass — to succeed
  16. patient — a sick person
  17. present — the time now
  18. root — of a plant
  19. board — a flat piece
  20. present — there
  21. rush — to hurry
  22. suit — to fit
  23. patient — calm and waiting
  24. present — a gift

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