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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.

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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: pass · march · cue · vault · charge · fall · pit · stand

  1. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  2. The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.
  3. The tickets are free of ________________.
  4. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  5. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  6. We will have lived in Kyoto for eight years next ________________.
  7. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  8. My stomach aches so much that I can't ________________ asleep.
  9. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  10. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  11. His birthday is in either ________________ or April.
  12. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  13. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  14. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  15. He who climbs up, will ________________ down.
  16. The band played a military ________________ at the parade.
  17. Champaud competed in the parallel bars, ________________, and pommel horse events.
  18. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  19. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  20. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.
  21. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  22. I can't ________________ this cold.
  23. In the ________________, covers are put over the fans in trains.
  24. Boris sat near the fire ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. charge — in control
  2. vault — an arched ceiling
  3. charge — a price
  4. pass — to spend time
  5. charge — electricity
  6. march — the month
  7. pit — in a race
  8. fall — to drop
  9. stand — on your feet
  10. cue — a signal
  11. march — the month
  12. pass — to succeed
  13. pass — a permit
  14. cue — for pool
  15. fall — to drop
  16. march — music
  17. vault — in gymnastics
  18. stand — for spectators
  19. pit — a fruit stone
  20. vault — a safe
  21. cue — a hint
  22. stand — to bear
  23. fall — the season
  24. pit — a hole

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