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. Where did you ________________ them?
  2. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  3. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  4. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  5. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  6. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  7. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  8. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  9. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  10. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  11. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  12. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  13. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  14. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  15. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  16. Do not ________________ roses in the fall.
  17. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  18. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  19. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  20. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  21. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  22. A ________________ is just a dried plum.
  23. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  24. I cannot ________________ this tree. It's too high.

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

Answer key

  1. mug — to rob
  2. chip — in a computer
  3. lash — a whip stroke
  4. mug — a cup
  5. chip — for betting
  6. bear — to put up with
  7. fan — a supporter
  8. deal — a big deal
  9. bear — the animal
  10. current — happening now
  11. lash — an eyelash
  12. fan — a supporter
  13. bear — the animal
  14. fan — to cool the air
  15. current — of water
  16. prune — to trim
  17. current — electric
  18. lash — to lash out
  19. mug — a face
  20. deal — to handle
  21. deal — an agreement
  22. prune — the fruit
  23. chip — to eat
  24. prune — to trim

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