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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
468
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 · mate · bear · can · patient · bulb · mouse · rush

  1. Don't do anything ________________.
  2. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  3. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  4. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  5. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  6. That must've been a ________________.
  7. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  8. I've got to change the light ________________.
  9. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  10. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  11. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  12. The light ________________ burned out.
  13. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  14. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  15. The nurse administered an injection to the ________________.
  16. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  17. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  18. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  19. The ________________ was transferred to the cardiology ward.
  20. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  21. Have you found your soul ________________?
  22. The farmer was ________________ with the unruly horse.
  23. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  24. Should I buy a wireless ________________?

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

Answer key

  1. rash — hasty
  2. bear — the animal
  3. mate — to breed
  4. rash — on the skin
  5. bulb — of a plant
  6. rush — a thrill
  7. rash — a series
  8. bulb — for light
  9. can — a tin
  10. mouse — the animal
  11. bear — the animal
  12. bulb — for light
  13. can — a tin
  14. bear — to put up with
  15. patient — a sick person
  16. mate — a friend
  17. rush — hurry
  18. mouse — the animal
  19. patient — a sick person
  20. can — to be able to
  21. mate — a partner
  22. patient — calm and waiting
  23. rush — to hurry
  24. mouse — for a computer

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