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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: rush · pitcher · patient · stick · board · dip · current · pass

  1. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  2. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  3. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  4. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  5. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  6. He is an ace ________________.
  7. The ________________ was transferred to the cardiology ward.
  8. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  9. The nurse administered an injection to the ________________.
  10. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  11. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  12. That must've been a ________________.
  13. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  14. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  15. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  16. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  17. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  18. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  19. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  20. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  21. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  22. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  23. The farmer was ________________ with the unruly horse.
  24. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.

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

Answer key

  1. pass — to spend time
  2. board — to get on
  3. pass — to succeed
  4. dip — to dunk
  5. stick — to attach or keep to
  6. pitcher — in baseball
  7. patient — a sick person
  8. board — a flat piece
  9. patient — a sick person
  10. pitcher — a jug
  11. pitcher — a jug
  12. rush — a thrill
  13. rush — to hurry
  14. pass — a permit
  15. rush — hurry
  16. current — electric
  17. board — a committee
  18. dip — to sink
  19. dip — a sauce
  20. current — of water
  21. stick — a piece of wood
  22. stick — a piece of wood
  23. patient — calm and waiting
  24. current — happening now

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