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. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  2. The room was ________________ black, so I couldn't see a thing.
  3. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  4. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  5. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  6. A ________________ is just a dried plum.
  7. The ball hit the back of the ________________.
  8. The players ran onto the football ________________.
  9. The light ________________ burned out.
  10. I've got to change the light ________________.
  11. We took cover from the thunder ________________.
  12. Where did you ________________ them?
  13. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  14. What was your ________________ profit last year?
  15. The dagger's metal was presumably from the same meteor ________________.
  16. I cannot ________________ this tree. It's too high.
  17. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  18. He's taking a ________________ right now.
  19. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  20. He took the fish out of the ________________.
  21. She's preparing to ________________ her idea to the investors.
  22. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  23. Do not ________________ roses in the fall.
  24. He had ________________ pain while walking.

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

Answer key

  1. mug — a cup
  2. pitch — completely
  3. ruler — for measuring
  4. bulb — of a plant
  5. calf — a young animal
  6. prune — the fruit
  7. net — in sport
  8. pitch — a sports field
  9. bulb — for light
  10. bulb — for light
  11. shower — rain
  12. mug — to rob
  13. mug — a face
  14. net — after costs
  15. shower — a meteor shower
  16. prune — to trim
  17. ruler — for measuring
  18. shower — to wash
  19. ruler — a monarch
  20. net — for catching
  21. pitch — a sales talk
  22. calf — a young animal
  23. prune — to trim
  24. calf — of the leg

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