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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.

Make a worksheet

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: pass · bulb · rock · march · mark · bear · perch · ball

  1. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  2. We will have lived in Kyoto for eight years next ________________.
  3. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  4. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  5. The light ________________ burned out.
  6. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  7. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  8. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  9. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  10. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  11. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  12. The band played a military ________________ at the parade.
  13. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  14. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  15. His birthday is in either ________________ or April.
  16. I've got to change the light ________________.
  17. The King held a masked ________________.
  18. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  19. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  20. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  21. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  22. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  23. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  24. You can't go backstage without a ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. mark — a grade
  2. march — the month
  3. bulb — of a plant
  4. rock — a stone
  5. bulb — for light
  6. mark — to pay attention
  7. perch — for a bird
  8. bear — the animal
  9. pass — to spend time
  10. ball — a great time
  11. perch — for a bird
  12. march — music
  13. perch — the fish
  14. pass — to succeed
  15. march — the month
  16. bulb — for light
  17. ball — a dance
  18. bear — the animal
  19. rock — music
  20. ball — a round shape
  21. bear — to put up with
  22. mark — a trace
  23. rock — to move gently
  24. pass — a permit

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