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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 120 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: stock · charge · foot · rest · dip · patient · band · bulb

  1. The nurse administered an injection to the ________________.
  2. I would like to have a ________________ here.
  3. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  4. He's the lead singer in a rock ________________.
  5. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  6. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  7. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  8. The ________________ was transferred to the cardiology ward.
  9. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  10. The supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.
  11. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  12. He still wears his gold wedding ________________.
  13. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  14. The ________________ of the members were all out of tune.
  15. The ________________ market has crashed.
  16. What's the difference between broth and ________________?
  17. He put a rubber ________________ around the bundle of letters.
  18. The tickets are free of ________________.
  19. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  20. I've got to change the light ________________.
  21. The farmer was ________________ with the unruly horse.
  22. The light ________________ burned out.
  23. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  24. Because of the accident, he'll have a limp for the ________________ of his life.

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

Answer key

  1. patient — a sick person
  2. rest — a break
  3. dip — to sink
  4. band — a music group
  5. dip — a sauce
  6. charge — electricity
  7. foot — a measure
  8. patient — a sick person
  9. foot — the bottom
  10. stock — goods
  11. foot — part of the body
  12. band — a ring
  13. dip — to dunk
  14. rest — what's left
  15. stock — shares
  16. stock — a soup base
  17. band — a rubber band
  18. charge — a price
  19. charge — in control
  20. bulb — for light
  21. patient — calm and waiting
  22. bulb — for light
  23. bulb — of a plant
  24. rest — what's left

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