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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 116 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: pass · court · bulb · pit · charge · cap · board · can

  1. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  2. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  3. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  4. The ________________ found him guilty of stealing money.
  5. The ball is in your ________________.
  6. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  7. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  8. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  9. The tickets are free of ________________.
  10. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  11. The light ________________ burned out.
  12. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  13. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  14. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  15. It's best to wear a ________________ on your head during the cold Moscow winters.
  16. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  17. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  18. I've got to change the light ________________.
  19. Can you put the ________________ back on the pen?
  20. The polar ice ________________ is melting.
  21. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  22. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  23. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  24. When a clown is made king, the ________________ becomes a circus.

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

Answer key

  1. charge — in control
  2. pit — in a race
  3. pit — a hole
  4. court — of law
  5. court — for sport
  6. charge — electricity
  7. board — to get on
  8. pit — a fruit stone
  9. charge — a price
  10. can — to be able to
  11. bulb — for light
  12. board — a committee
  13. can — a tin
  14. can — a tin
  15. cap — a hat
  16. bulb — of a plant
  17. board — a flat piece
  18. bulb — for light
  19. cap — a lid
  20. cap — of ice
  21. pass — to succeed
  22. pass — a permit
  23. pass — to spend time
  24. court — of a king

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