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 fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  2. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  3. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  4. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  5. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  6. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  7. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  8. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  9. What was your ________________ profit last year?
  10. The ball hit the back of the ________________.
  11. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  12. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  13. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  14. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  15. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  16. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  17. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  18. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  19. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  20. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  21. He took the fish out of the ________________.
  22. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  23. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  24. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.

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

Answer key

  1. bass — the fish
  2. racket — a loud noise
  3. stick — to attach or keep to
  4. bass — low music
  5. racket — for tennis
  6. stick — a piece of wood
  7. deal — a big deal
  8. wax — to grow
  9. net — after costs
  10. net — in sport
  11. mark — a grade
  12. wax — for sculpting
  13. racket — for tennis
  14. wax — in the ear
  15. mark — to pay attention
  16. mouse — for a computer
  17. mouse — the animal
  18. bass — the instrument
  19. mouse — the animal
  20. deal — an agreement
  21. net — for catching
  22. mark — a trace
  23. stick — a piece of wood
  24. deal — to handle

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