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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: mug · jam · patient · rash · current · wave · mark · racket

  1. The nurse administered an injection to the ________________.
  2. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  3. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  4. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  5. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  6. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  7. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  8. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  9. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  10. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  11. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  12. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  13. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  14. The ________________ was transferred to the cardiology ward.
  15. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  16. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  17. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  18. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  19. Don't do anything ________________.
  20. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  21. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  22. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  23. Where did you ________________ them?
  24. The farmer was ________________ with the unruly horse.

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

Answer key

  1. patient — a sick person
  2. current — electric
  3. mark — a trace
  4. wave — of the sea
  5. mug — a cup
  6. current — happening now
  7. jam — a tight spot
  8. racket — a loud noise
  9. wave — with your hand
  10. current — of water
  11. jam — to spread on bread
  12. rash — a series
  13. jam — in traffic
  14. patient — a sick person
  15. mark — to pay attention
  16. mark — a grade
  17. racket — for tennis
  18. wave — a sudden rise
  19. rash — hasty
  20. racket — for tennis
  21. mug — a face
  22. rash — on the skin
  23. mug — to rob
  24. patient — calm and waiting

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