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. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  2. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  3. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  4. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  5. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  6. The coach helped Matthew straighten out his golf ________________, improving his game.
  7. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  8. In jazz, ________________ was gradually being replaced by bebop.
  9. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  10. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  11. The light ________________ burned out.
  12. You don't need to ________________ round.
  13. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  14. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  15. When was this ________________ built?
  16. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  17. We're almost out of ________________.
  18. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  19. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  20. I've got to change the light ________________.
  21. Michael Jackson and Prince changed the history of ________________ music.
  22. David sat on the ________________.
  23. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  24. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.

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

Answer key

  1. temple — a place of worship
  2. temple — side of the head
  3. ruler — for measuring
  4. staff — employees
  5. wax — for sculpting
  6. swing — in golf
  7. pit — in a race
  8. swing — music
  9. wax — in the ear
  10. bulb — of a plant
  11. bulb — for light
  12. pop — to visit
  13. wax — to grow
  14. pit — a hole
  15. temple — a place of worship
  16. pit — a fruit stone
  17. pop — soda
  18. ruler — a monarch
  19. staff — employees
  20. bulb — for light
  21. pop — music
  22. swing — to play on
  23. staff — a stick
  24. ruler — for measuring

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