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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.

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: stand · bulb · lash · shower · patient · nail · deal · mouse

  1. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  2. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  3. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  4. We took cover from the thunder ________________.
  5. He's taking a ________________ right now.
  6. I can't ________________ this cold.
  7. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  8. The dagger's metal was presumably from the same meteor ________________.
  9. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  10. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  11. The farmer was ________________ with the unruly horse.
  12. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  13. The ________________ was transferred to the cardiology ward.
  14. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  15. I've got to change the light ________________.
  16. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  17. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  18. The light ________________ burned out.
  19. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  20. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  21. The nurse administered an injection to the ________________.
  22. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  23. The ________________ went through the wall.
  24. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.

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

Answer key

  1. nail — for a hammer
  2. lash — an eyelash
  3. lash — a whip stroke
  4. shower — rain
  5. shower — to wash
  6. stand — to bear
  7. mouse — for a computer
  8. shower — a meteor shower
  9. bulb — of a plant
  10. mouse — the animal
  11. patient — calm and waiting
  12. stand — for spectators
  13. patient — a sick person
  14. deal — an agreement
  15. bulb — for light
  16. mouse — the animal
  17. deal — to handle
  18. bulb — for light
  19. stand — on your feet
  20. lash — to lash out
  21. patient — a sick person
  22. deal — a big deal
  23. nail — for a hammer
  24. nail — on a finger

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