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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: rash · bear · mug · lean · patient · charge · saw · suit

  1. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  2. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  3. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  4. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  5. The ________________ was transferred to the cardiology ward.
  6. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  7. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  8. Don't do anything ________________.
  9. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  10. The tickets are free of ________________.
  11. He is as ________________ as a wolf.
  12. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  13. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  14. The farmer was ________________ with the unruly horse.
  15. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  16. She's very handy with a ________________.
  17. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  18. The nurse administered an injection to the ________________.
  19. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  20. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  21. He works in a ________________ mill.
  22. When will it ________________ you to start?
  23. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  24. Where did you ________________ them?

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

Answer key

  1. charge — in control
  2. bear — the animal
  3. bear — the animal
  4. rash — on the skin
  5. patient — a sick person
  6. lean — to bend
  7. suit — clothes
  8. rash — hasty
  9. mug — a face
  10. charge — a price
  11. lean — thin
  12. lean — to rest against
  13. suit — in cards
  14. patient — calm and waiting
  15. saw — past of 'see'
  16. saw — the tool
  17. bear — to put up with
  18. patient — a sick person
  19. rash — a series
  20. mug — a cup
  21. saw — the tool
  22. suit — to fit
  23. charge — electricity
  24. mug — to rob

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