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. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  2. Will civil ________________ and democracy continue in Algeria?
  3. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  4. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  5. The chairman did not ________________ out the possibility of a disagreement.
  6. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  7. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  8. The ball hit the back of the ________________.
  9. What was your ________________ profit last year?
  10. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  11. I've got to change the light ________________.
  12. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  13. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  14. When will it ________________ you to start?
  15. The light ________________ burned out.
  16. He took the fish out of the ________________.
  17. He is as ________________ as a wolf.
  18. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  19. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  20. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  21. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  22. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  23. I can't ________________ this cold.
  24. Remember our ________________: no talking to strangers, no matter what.

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

Answer key

  1. bulb — of a plant
  2. rule — government
  3. staff — a stick
  4. suit — clothes
  5. rule — to rule out
  6. stand — on your feet
  7. stand — for spectators
  8. net — in sport
  9. net — after costs
  10. lean — to bend
  11. bulb — for light
  12. current — happening now
  13. staff — employees
  14. suit — to fit
  15. bulb — for light
  16. net — for catching
  17. lean — thin
  18. current — electric
  19. staff — employees
  20. suit — in cards
  21. current — of water
  22. lean — to rest against
  23. stand — to bear
  24. rule — a law

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