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. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  2. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  3. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  4. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  5. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  6. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  7. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  8. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  9. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  10. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  11. Did you ________________ the meat?
  12. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  13. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  14. Did you ________________ the button?
  15. When will it ________________ you to start?
  16. The light ________________ burned out.
  17. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  18. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  19. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  20. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  21. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  22. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  23. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  24. I've got to change the light ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — for measuring
  2. bass — low music
  3. bulb — of a plant
  4. bear — to put up with
  5. bear — the animal
  6. foot — the bottom
  7. suit — in cards
  8. foot — part of the body
  9. season — in sport
  10. press — newspapers
  11. season — to add flavour
  12. press — a publisher
  13. bass — the instrument
  14. press — to push
  15. suit — to fit
  16. bulb — for light
  17. ruler — a monarch
  18. bass — the fish
  19. season — of the year
  20. ruler — for measuring
  21. foot — a measure
  22. bear — the animal
  23. suit — clothes
  24. bulb — for light

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