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 116 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 tree's ________________ was scarred by lightning strikes.
  2. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  3. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  4. The light ________________ burned out.
  5. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  6. He who climbs up, will ________________ down.
  7. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  8. I've got the luggage in my ________________.
  9. In the ________________, covers are put over the fans in trains.
  10. You don't need to ________________ round.
  11. The elephant has a huge ________________.
  12. Did you ________________ the meat?
  13. I've got to change the light ________________.
  14. We're almost out of ________________.
  15. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  16. My stomach aches so much that I can't ________________ asleep.
  17. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  18. Michael Jackson and Prince changed the history of ________________ music.
  19. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  20. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  21. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  22. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  23. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  24. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.

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

Answer key

  1. trunk — of a tree
  2. dip — to sink
  3. dip — a sauce
  4. bulb — for light
  5. bulb — of a plant
  6. fall — to drop
  7. ruler — for measuring
  8. trunk — of a car
  9. fall — the season
  10. pop — to visit
  11. trunk — of an elephant
  12. season — to add flavour
  13. bulb — for light
  14. pop — soda
  15. dip — to dunk
  16. fall — to drop
  17. cue — a hint
  18. pop — music
  19. cue — for pool
  20. ruler — a monarch
  21. season — of the year
  22. cue — a signal
  23. season — in sport
  24. ruler — for measuring

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