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. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  2. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  3. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  4. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  5. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  6. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  7. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  8. The speedboat left a long ________________ behind it.
  9. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  10. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  11. Where did you ________________ them?
  12. I belonged to the harmonica ________________ in my high school days.
  13. Later, his shop becomes a ________________ with young dancers.
  14. My rich neighbors belong to a private golf ________________.
  15. Friends gathered at the ________________ to remember him.
  16. My mare is ________________ in color.
  17. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  18. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  19. The King held a masked ________________.
  20. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  21. I didn't ________________ up well this morning.
  22. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  23. He is as ________________ as a wolf.
  24. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.

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

Answer key

  1. bay — to keep at bay
  2. lean — to rest against
  3. mug — a cup
  4. current — of water
  5. current — happening now
  6. lean — to bend
  7. rock — a stone
  8. wake — a trail
  9. rock — to move gently
  10. current — electric
  11. mug — to rob
  12. club — a group
  13. club — for dancing
  14. club — for golf
  15. wake — before a funeral
  16. bay — a horse colour
  17. rock — music
  18. ball — a great time
  19. ball — a dance
  20. bay — a part of the sea
  21. wake — to stop sleeping
  22. ball — a round shape
  23. lean — thin
  24. mug — a face

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