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 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
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. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  2. He who climbs up, will ________________ down.
  3. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  4. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  5. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  6. The light ________________ burned out.
  7. I've got to change the light ________________.
  8. My stomach aches so much that I can't ________________ asleep.
  9. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  10. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  11. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  12. Do not ________________ roses in the fall.
  13. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  14. It's one o'clock ________________.
  15. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  16. A ________________ is just a dried plum.
  17. I cannot ________________ this tree. It's too high.
  18. He's quite ________________, isn't he?
  19. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  20. In the ________________, covers are put over the fans in trains.
  21. When will it ________________ you to start?
  22. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  23. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  24. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.

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

Answer key

  1. rock — to move gently
  2. fall — to drop
  3. fine — high quality
  4. suit — clothes
  5. wave — a sudden rise
  6. bulb — for light
  7. bulb — for light
  8. fall — to drop
  9. wave — of the sea
  10. sharp — with an edge
  11. fine — all right
  12. prune — to trim
  13. rock — music
  14. sharp — exactly
  15. rock — a stone
  16. prune — the fruit
  17. prune — to trim
  18. sharp — clever
  19. bulb — of a plant
  20. fall — the season
  21. suit — to fit
  22. suit — in cards
  23. fine — a penalty
  24. wave — with your hand

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