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. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  2. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  3. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  4. The light ________________ burned out.
  5. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  6. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  7. David sat on the ________________.
  8. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  9. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  10. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  11. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  12. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  13. I can't ________________ this cold.
  14. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  15. What do you think of the new ________________?
  16. I've got to change the light ________________.
  17. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  18. The coach helped Matthew straighten out his golf ________________, improving his game.
  19. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  20. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  21. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  22. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  23. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  24. In jazz, ________________ was gradually being replaced by bebop.

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

Answer key

  1. bulb — of a plant
  2. cabinet — a cupboard
  3. perch — the fish
  4. bulb — for light
  5. bore — to drill
  6. leaves — to go away
  7. swing — to play on
  8. bore — gave birth
  9. perch — for a bird
  10. cabinet — ministers
  11. safe — a strongbox
  12. stand — on your feet
  13. stand — to bear
  14. safe — out of danger
  15. cabinet — ministers
  16. bulb — for light
  17. bore — to tire
  18. swing — in golf
  19. safe — out of danger
  20. leaves — lets stay
  21. leaves — of a tree
  22. perch — for a bird
  23. stand — for spectators
  24. swing — music

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