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. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  2. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  3. When was this ________________ built?
  4. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  5. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  6. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  7. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  8. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  9. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  10. The light ________________ burned out.
  11. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  12. Did you ________________ the meat?
  13. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  14. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  15. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  16. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  17. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  18. I've got to change the light ________________.
  19. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  20. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  21. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  22. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  23. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  24. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.

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

Answer key

  1. board — a flat piece
  2. track — to keep track
  3. temple — a place of worship
  4. deal — an agreement
  5. calf — a young animal
  6. temple — side of the head
  7. track — a song
  8. deal — to handle
  9. temple — a place of worship
  10. bulb — for light
  11. safe — a strongbox
  12. season — to add flavour
  13. season — of the year
  14. safe — out of danger
  15. bulb — of a plant
  16. safe — out of danger
  17. calf — of the leg
  18. bulb — for light
  19. deal — a big deal
  20. calf — a young animal
  21. season — in sport
  22. board — a committee
  23. board — to get on
  24. track — a path

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