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. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  2. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  3. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  4. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  5. We had to ________________ the boat across the lake.
  6. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  7. I had a ________________ with my boss today.
  8. I've got the luggage in my ________________.
  9. It's one o'clock ________________.
  10. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  11. Did you ________________ the meat?
  12. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  13. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  14. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  15. The elephant has a huge ________________.
  16. The tree's ________________ was scarred by lightning strikes.
  17. The girl drawing a picture in the first ________________ is my niece.
  18. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  19. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  20. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  21. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  22. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  23. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  24. He's quite ________________, isn't he?

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

Answer key

  1. stick — to attach or keep to
  2. rock — a stone
  3. perch — the fish
  4. deal — a big deal
  5. row — to paddle
  6. stick — a piece of wood
  7. row — a quarrel
  8. trunk — of a car
  9. sharp — exactly
  10. perch — for a bird
  11. season — to add flavour
  12. sharp — with an edge
  13. rock — music
  14. perch — for a bird
  15. trunk — of an elephant
  16. trunk — of a tree
  17. row — a line
  18. season — in sport
  19. season — of the year
  20. deal — an agreement
  21. stick — a piece of wood
  22. rock — to move gently
  23. deal — to handle
  24. sharp — clever

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