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. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  2. The nurse administered an injection to the ________________.
  3. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  4. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  5. He spent years learning his ________________ as a carpenter.
  6. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  7. Where did you ________________ them?
  8. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  9. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  10. My mare is ________________ in color.
  11. Flower arranging is a traditional ________________ in Japan.
  12. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  13. Small ________________ should stay in the harbor during the storm.
  14. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  15. The light ________________ burned out.
  16. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  17. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  18. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  19. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  20. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  21. The ________________ was transferred to the cardiology ward.
  22. I've got to change the light ________________.
  23. The farmer was ________________ with the unruly horse.
  24. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.

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

Answer key

  1. current — electric
  2. patient — a sick person
  3. deal — a big deal
  4. bulb — of a plant
  5. craft — a skill
  6. wax — to grow
  7. mug — to rob
  8. bay — a part of the sea
  9. wax — in the ear
  10. bay — a horse colour
  11. craft — a handicraft
  12. bay — to keep at bay
  13. craft — boats
  14. mug — a face
  15. bulb — for light
  16. mug — a cup
  17. current — happening now
  18. wax — for sculpting
  19. deal — to handle
  20. current — of water
  21. patient — a sick person
  22. bulb — for light
  23. patient — calm and waiting
  24. deal — an agreement

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