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. Hold the papers together with a ________________.
  2. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  3. The light ________________ burned out.
  4. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  5. How can I extract the audio from a video ________________?
  6. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  7. It seems a cruel thing to ________________ a bird's wings.
  8. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  9. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  10. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  11. The tree's ________________ was scarred by lightning strikes.
  12. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  13. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  14. I've got to change the light ________________.
  15. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  16. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  17. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  18. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  19. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  20. The elephant has a huge ________________.
  21. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  22. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  23. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  24. I've got the luggage in my ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. clip — for paper
  2. hide — animal skin
  3. bulb — for light
  4. rock — to move gently
  5. clip — a video
  6. safe — out of danger
  7. clip — to cut
  8. hide — to keep secret
  9. mouse — the animal
  10. safe — a strongbox
  11. trunk — of a tree
  12. staff — employees
  13. bulb — of a plant
  14. bulb — for light
  15. rock — music
  16. mouse — the animal
  17. rock — a stone
  18. mouse — for a computer
  19. safe — out of danger
  20. trunk — of an elephant
  21. staff — employees
  22. hide — to keep secret
  23. staff — a stick
  24. trunk — of a car

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