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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: pit · hide · patient · charge · bulb · fine · toast · staff

  1. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  2. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  3. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  4. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  5. The nurse administered an injection to the ________________.
  6. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  7. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  8. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  9. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  10. The ________________ was transferred to the cardiology ward.
  11. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  12. I've got to change the light ________________.
  13. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  14. The light ________________ burned out.
  15. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  16. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  17. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  18. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  19. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  20. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  21. The farmer was ________________ with the unruly horse.
  22. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  23. The tickets are free of ________________.
  24. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.

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

Answer key

  1. staff — employees
  2. pit — a fruit stone
  3. fine — a penalty
  4. staff — employees
  5. patient — a sick person
  6. hide — animal skin
  7. charge — electricity
  8. toast — the most admired
  9. pit — a hole
  10. patient — a sick person
  11. staff — a stick
  12. bulb — for light
  13. fine — all right
  14. bulb — for light
  15. toast — bread
  16. hide — to keep secret
  17. hide — to keep secret
  18. bulb — of a plant
  19. charge — in control
  20. pit — in a race
  21. patient — calm and waiting
  22. fine — high quality
  23. charge — a price
  24. toast — a drink to someone

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