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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.

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: kid · rock · plane · bass · bulb · pass · perch · leaves

  1. The ________________ took off on time.
  2. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  3. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  4. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  5. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  6. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  7. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  8. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  9. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  10. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  11. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  12. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  13. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  14. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  15. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  16. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  17. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  18. I've got to change the light ________________.
  19. Don't ________________ yourself. You couldn't afford to buy a house like this.
  20. The light ________________ burned out.
  21. We've got to handle this with ________________ gloves.
  22. I had chicken pox when I was a ________________.
  23. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  24. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.

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

Answer key

  1. plane — an aircraft
  2. bass — low music
  3. pass — to spend time
  4. rock — a stone
  5. leaves — lets stay
  6. rock — music
  7. plane — in geometry
  8. rock — to move gently
  9. leaves — of a tree
  10. plane — a tool
  11. leaves — to go away
  12. bass — the instrument
  13. perch — the fish
  14. perch — for a bird
  15. perch — for a bird
  16. bass — the fish
  17. bulb — of a plant
  18. bulb — for light
  19. kid — to tease
  20. bulb — for light
  21. kid — young goat (kid gloves)
  22. kid — child
  23. pass — a permit
  24. pass — to succeed

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