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. We're on a ________________ here.
  2. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  3. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  4. That was ________________ to happen.
  5. The light ________________ burned out.
  6. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  7. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  8. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  9. The teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.
  10. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  11. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  12. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  13. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  14. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  15. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.
  16. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  17. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  18. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  19. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  20. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  21. I've got to change the light ________________.
  22. Did you ________________ the meat?
  23. I can't ________________ this cold.
  24. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?

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

Answer key

  1. roll — on a roll
  2. bulb — of a plant
  3. bound — tied together
  4. bound — certain
  5. bulb — for light
  6. bore — gave birth
  7. branch — of a tree
  8. season — of the year
  9. roll — a list
  10. stand — for spectators
  11. wax — for sculpting
  12. bound — obliged
  13. bore — to drill
  14. wax — to grow
  15. roll — a cake
  16. stand — on your feet
  17. branch — of a bank
  18. wax — in the ear
  19. season — in sport
  20. branch — a division
  21. bulb — for light
  22. season — to add flavour
  23. stand — to bear
  24. bore — to tire

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