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. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  2. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  3. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  4. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  5. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  6. There's no middle ________________.
  7. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  8. The light ________________ burned out.
  9. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  10. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  11. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  12. A ________________ is a sweet brown fruit from a palm tree.
  13. I've got to change the light ________________.
  14. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  15. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  16. The ________________ was covered with snow, as far as the eye could see.
  17. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  18. Add some ________________ pepper to it.
  19. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  20. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  21. Have you settled on a ________________?
  22. Where did you ________________ them?
  23. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  24. Why do cosmetics have an expiration ________________?

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

Answer key

  1. chip — for betting
  2. current — happening now
  3. mug — a face
  4. mug — a cup
  5. rock — music
  6. ground — a position
  7. bulb — of a plant
  8. bulb — for light
  9. rock — a stone
  10. current — of water
  11. chip — in a computer
  12. date — the fruit
  13. bulb — for light
  14. bowl — to roll
  15. current — electric
  16. ground — the earth
  17. chip — to eat
  18. ground — crushed
  19. bowl — a football final
  20. rock — to move gently
  21. date — on the calendar
  22. mug — to rob
  23. bowl — a dish
  24. date — on the calendar

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