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. The light ________________ burned out.
  2. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  3. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  4. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  5. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  6. He's quite ________________, isn't he?
  7. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  8. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  9. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  10. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  11. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  12. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  13. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  14. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  15. I've got to change the light ________________.
  16. It's one o'clock ________________.
  17. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  18. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  19. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  20. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  21. What do you think of the new ________________?
  22. The ________________ took off on time.
  23. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  24. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.

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

Answer key

  1. bulb — for light
  2. fine — all right
  3. plane — in geometry
  4. can — a tin
  5. deal — an agreement
  6. sharp — clever
  7. stick — a piece of wood
  8. can — a tin
  9. can — to be able to
  10. plane — a tool
  11. sharp — with an edge
  12. deal — to handle
  13. fine — high quality
  14. cabinet — ministers
  15. bulb — for light
  16. sharp — exactly
  17. bulb — of a plant
  18. fine — a penalty
  19. stick — a piece of wood
  20. stick — to attach or keep to
  21. cabinet — ministers
  22. plane — an aircraft
  23. cabinet — a cupboard
  24. deal — a big deal

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