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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 · charge · hide · pass · patient · board · fan · fine

  1. The ________________ was transferred to the cardiology ward.
  2. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  3. The nurse administered an injection to the ________________.
  4. That must've been a ________________.
  5. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  6. The tickets are free of ________________.
  7. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  8. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  9. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  10. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  11. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  12. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  13. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  14. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  15. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  16. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  17. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  18. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  19. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  20. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  21. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  22. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  23. The farmer was ________________ with the unruly horse.
  24. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?

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

Answer key

  1. patient — a sick person
  2. board — to get on
  3. patient — a sick person
  4. rush — a thrill
  5. fan — to cool the air
  6. charge — a price
  7. board — a committee
  8. charge — in control
  9. pass — a permit
  10. fine — all right
  11. pass — to succeed
  12. charge — electricity
  13. hide — animal skin
  14. board — a flat piece
  15. fan — a supporter
  16. pass — to spend time
  17. rush — hurry
  18. fine — high quality
  19. fan — a supporter
  20. hide — to keep secret
  21. fine — a penalty
  22. rush — to hurry
  23. patient — calm and waiting
  24. hide — to keep secret

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