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. The information is stored in a ________________ on my computer.
  2. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  3. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  4. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  5. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  6. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  7. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  8. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  9. We walked down the narrow path in single ________________.
  10. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  11. I've got to change the light ________________.
  12. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  13. The polar ice ________________ is melting.
  14. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  15. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  16. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  17. He rubbed the rust off with a ________________.
  18. It's best to wear a ________________ on your head during the cold Moscow winters.
  19. Can you put the ________________ back on the pen?
  20. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  21. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  22. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  23. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  24. The light ________________ burned out.

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

Answer key

  1. file — a document
  2. cue — for pool
  3. mark — a grade
  4. wave — a sudden rise
  5. mark — to pay attention
  6. can — a tin
  7. can — a tin
  8. wave — of the sea
  9. file — a line of people
  10. leaves — to go away
  11. bulb — for light
  12. cue — a hint
  13. cap — of ice
  14. wave — with your hand
  15. leaves — of a tree
  16. leaves — lets stay
  17. file — a tool
  18. cap — a hat
  19. cap — a lid
  20. bulb — of a plant
  21. can — to be able to
  22. mark — a trace
  23. cue — a signal
  24. bulb — for light

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