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 120 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. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  2. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  3. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  4. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  5. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  6. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  7. The light ________________ burned out.
  8. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  9. Did you ________________ the meat?
  10. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  11. I've got to change the light ________________.
  12. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  13. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  14. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  15. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  16. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  17. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  18. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  19. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  20. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  21. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  22. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  23. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  24. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. current — happening now
  2. lie — an untruth
  3. perch — the fish
  4. foot — part of the body
  5. season — of the year
  6. foot — a measure
  7. bulb — for light
  8. perch — for a bird
  9. season — to add flavour
  10. mouse — for a computer
  11. bulb — for light
  12. foot — the bottom
  13. chip — to eat
  14. mouse — the animal
  15. chip — in a computer
  16. lie — to recline
  17. current — of water
  18. current — electric
  19. perch — for a bird
  20. lie — an untruth
  21. mouse — the animal
  22. bulb — of a plant
  23. chip — for betting
  24. season — in sport

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