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 kitten curled into a ________________.
  2. Small ________________ should stay in the harbor during the storm.
  3. Flower arranging is a traditional ________________ in Japan.
  4. The light ________________ burned out.
  5. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  6. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  7. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  8. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  9. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  10. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  11. He spent years learning his ________________ as a carpenter.
  12. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  13. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  14. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  15. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  16. The King held a masked ________________.
  17. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  18. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  19. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  20. I've got to change the light ________________.
  21. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  22. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  23. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  24. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.

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

Answer key

  1. ball — a round shape
  2. craft — boats
  3. craft — a handicraft
  4. bulb — for light
  5. calf — a young animal
  6. toast — bread
  7. calf — of the leg
  8. safe — out of danger
  9. scale — size or range
  10. chip — for betting
  11. craft — a skill
  12. safe — a strongbox
  13. safe — out of danger
  14. scale — for weighing
  15. ball — a great time
  16. ball — a dance
  17. chip — to eat
  18. bulb — of a plant
  19. scale — in music
  20. bulb — for light
  21. calf — a young animal
  22. chip — in a computer
  23. toast — a drink to someone
  24. toast — the most admired

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