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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.

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: board · mark · pit · temple · ball · bulb · present · perch

  1. Actually, the ________________ method has plenty of room for improvement.
  2. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  3. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  4. When was this ________________ built?
  5. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  6. I've got to change the light ________________.
  7. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  8. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  9. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  10. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  11. Did you get a birthday ________________ for him this year?
  12. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  13. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  14. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  15. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  16. My partner was ________________ at the birth of our baby.
  17. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  18. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  19. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  20. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  21. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  22. The King held a masked ________________.
  23. The light ________________ burned out.
  24. She got the top ________________ in the exam.

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

Answer key

  1. present — the time now
  2. mark — a trace
  3. perch — for a bird
  4. temple — a place of worship
  5. ball — a round shape
  6. bulb — for light
  7. perch — for a bird
  8. pit — in a race
  9. perch — the fish
  10. mark — to pay attention
  11. present — a gift
  12. ball — a great time
  13. board — a flat piece
  14. pit — a hole
  15. temple — side of the head
  16. present — there
  17. pit — a fruit stone
  18. board — to get on
  19. bulb — of a plant
  20. board — a committee
  21. temple — a place of worship
  22. ball — a dance
  23. bulb — for light
  24. mark — a grade

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