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. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  2. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  3. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  4. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  5. Where did you ________________ them?
  6. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  7. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  8. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  9. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  10. The ________________ market has crashed.
  11. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  12. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  13. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  14. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  15. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  16. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  17. What's the difference between broth and ________________?
  18. The supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.
  19. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  20. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  21. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  22. Have you found your soul ________________?
  23. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  24. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.

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

Answer key

  1. mouse — for a computer
  2. current — happening now
  3. racket — for tennis
  4. mate — a friend
  5. mug — to rob
  6. mouse — the animal
  7. calf — of the leg
  8. mug — a face
  9. racket — a loud noise
  10. stock — shares
  11. wave — of the sea
  12. current — of water
  13. wave — a sudden rise
  14. calf — a young animal
  15. current — electric
  16. racket — for tennis
  17. stock — a soup base
  18. stock — goods
  19. wave — with your hand
  20. mouse — the animal
  21. mug — a cup
  22. mate — a partner
  23. calf — a young animal
  24. mate — to breed

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