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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: cue · pass · march · bank · vault · fine · object · jam

  1. His birthday is in either ________________ or April.
  2. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  3. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  4. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.
  5. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  6. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  7. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  8. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  9. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  10. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  11. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  12. The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.
  13. We will have lived in Kyoto for eight years next ________________.
  14. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  15. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  16. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  17. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  18. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  19. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  20. Champaud competed in the parallel bars, ________________, and pommel horse events.
  21. The band played a military ________________ at the parade.
  22. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  23. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  24. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.

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

Answer key

  1. march — the month
  2. fine — high quality
  3. object — an aim
  4. vault — a safe
  5. jam — to spread on bread
  6. bank — for money
  7. jam — in traffic
  8. bank — for money
  9. cue — for pool
  10. fine — all right
  11. jam — a tight spot
  12. vault — an arched ceiling
  13. march — the month
  14. bank — of a river
  15. object — to protest
  16. pass — to succeed
  17. object — a thing
  18. fine — a penalty
  19. cue — a hint
  20. vault — in gymnastics
  21. march — music
  22. pass — a permit
  23. cue — a signal
  24. pass — to spend time

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