ClueBy
TodayArchiveWord list

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.

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
YesNo
↻ New worksheet

Multiple-Meaning Words

Name: ____________________Date: __________

Write the missing word in each sentence. Each word is used more than once, with a different meaning each time.

  1. Why do cosmetics have an expiration ________________?
  2. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  3. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  4. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  5. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  6. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  7. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  8. A ________________ is a sweet brown fruit from a palm tree.
  9. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  10. My mare is ________________ in color.
  11. They were given a penalty ________________ just minutes from the end.
  12. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  13. One ________________ from a giraffe's hind leg is enough to kill a lion.
  14. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  15. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  16. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  17. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  18. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  19. Have you settled on a ________________?
  20. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  21. I've got to change the light ________________.
  22. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  23. I get a ________________ out of her cheerful personality.
  24. The light ________________ burned out.

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

Answer key

  1. date — on the calendar
  2. bay — to keep at bay
  3. bore — to drill
  4. cue — a hint
  5. bay — a part of the sea
  6. bulb — of a plant
  7. perch — the fish
  8. date — the fruit
  9. cue — for pool
  10. bay — a horse colour
  11. kick — in football
  12. rock — music
  13. kick — with a leg
  14. cue — a signal
  15. perch — for a bird
  16. rock — a stone
  17. perch — for a bird
  18. bore — gave birth
  19. date — on the calendar
  20. bore — to tire
  21. bulb — for light
  22. rock — to move gently
  23. kick — a thrill
  24. bulb — for light

Multiple-meaning words list

Tick up to 10 words to build a worksheet with just those words.

Make a worksheet (0 words)

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