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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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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: object · stand · temple · vault · date · suit · pass · scale

  1. I can't ________________ this cold.
  2. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  3. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  4. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  5. Have you settled on a ________________?
  6. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  7. When will it ________________ you to start?
  8. A ________________ is a sweet brown fruit from a palm tree.
  9. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  10. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  11. Why do cosmetics have an expiration ________________?
  12. When was this ________________ built?
  13. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  14. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  15. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  16. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  17. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  18. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  19. Champaud competed in the parallel bars, ________________, and pommel horse events.
  20. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  21. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.
  22. The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.
  23. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  24. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. stand — to bear
  2. suit — clothes
  3. object — an aim
  4. pass — to succeed
  5. date — on the calendar
  6. temple — side of the head
  7. suit — to fit
  8. date — the fruit
  9. object — a thing
  10. pass — a permit
  11. date — on the calendar
  12. temple — a place of worship
  13. suit — in cards
  14. scale — for weighing
  15. object — to protest
  16. scale — size or range
  17. scale — in music
  18. pass — to spend time
  19. vault — in gymnastics
  20. temple — a place of worship
  21. vault — a safe
  22. vault — an arched ceiling
  23. stand — on your feet
  24. stand — for spectators

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