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. I would like to have a ________________ here.
  2. Because of the accident, he'll have a limp for the ________________ of his life.
  3. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  4. She's very handy with a ________________.
  5. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  6. The ________________ of the members were all out of tune.
  7. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  8. He works in a ________________ mill.
  9. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  10. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  11. The light ________________ burned out.
  12. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  13. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  14. This piece is in a major ________________.
  15. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  16. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  17. I've got to change the light ________________.
  18. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  19. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  20. Have you met the new head ________________?
  21. What do you think of the new ________________?
  22. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  23. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  24. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.

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

Answer key

  1. rest — a break
  2. rest — what's left
  3. mark — to pay attention
  4. saw — the tool
  5. coach — a trainer
  6. rest — what's left
  7. key — the most important part
  8. saw — the tool
  9. perch — for a bird
  10. mark — a grade
  11. bulb — for light
  12. key — for a lock
  13. perch — for a bird
  14. key — in music
  15. mark — a trace
  16. saw — past of 'see'
  17. bulb — for light
  18. cabinet — a cupboard
  19. cabinet — ministers
  20. coach — a trainer
  21. cabinet — ministers
  22. bulb — of a plant
  23. coach — pulled by horses
  24. perch — the fish

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