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 people resisted their cruel ________________.
  2. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  3. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  4. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  5. The light ________________ burned out.
  6. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  7. My mare is ________________ in color.
  8. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  9. Have you met the new head ________________?
  10. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  11. Did you ________________ the meat?
  12. Don't do anything ________________.
  13. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  14. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  15. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  16. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  17. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  18. This piece is in a major ________________.
  19. I've got to change the light ________________.
  20. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  21. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  22. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  23. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  24. Hard work is the ________________ to success.

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — a monarch
  2. bay — to keep at bay
  3. rash — on the skin
  4. ruler — for measuring
  5. bulb — for light
  6. bass — low music
  7. bay — a horse colour
  8. coach — a trainer
  9. coach — a trainer
  10. bass — the fish
  11. season — to add flavour
  12. rash — hasty
  13. key — for a lock
  14. season — of the year
  15. bulb — of a plant
  16. coach — pulled by horses
  17. season — in sport
  18. key — in music
  19. bulb — for light
  20. rash — a series
  21. bass — the instrument
  22. ruler — for measuring
  23. bay — a part of the sea
  24. key — the most important part

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