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. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  2. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  3. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  4. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  5. We will have lived in Kyoto for eight years next ________________.
  6. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  7. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  8. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  9. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  10. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  11. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  12. When was this ________________ built?
  13. His birthday is in either ________________ or April.
  14. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  15. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  16. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  17. When will it ________________ you to start?
  18. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  19. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  20. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  21. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  22. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  23. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  24. The band played a military ________________ at the parade.

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

Answer key

  1. current — of water
  2. suit — clothes
  3. lash — an eyelash
  4. temple — a place of worship
  5. march — the month
  6. current — happening now
  7. suit — in cards
  8. perch — for a bird
  9. pit — a fruit stone
  10. pit — in a race
  11. pit — a hole
  12. temple — a place of worship
  13. march — the month
  14. bear — the animal
  15. bear — the animal
  16. lash — to lash out
  17. suit — to fit
  18. bear — to put up with
  19. perch — the fish
  20. lash — a whip stroke
  21. current — electric
  22. perch — for a bird
  23. temple — side of the head
  24. march — music

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