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. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  2. He took the fish out of the ________________.
  3. His birthday is in either ________________ or April.
  4. The ball hit the back of the ________________.
  5. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  6. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  7. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  8. The light ________________ burned out.
  9. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  10. What was your ________________ profit last year?
  11. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  12. The King held a masked ________________.
  13. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  14. I've got to change the light ________________.
  15. When was this ________________ built?
  16. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  17. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  18. We will have lived in Kyoto for eight years next ________________.
  19. The band played a military ________________ at the parade.
  20. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  21. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  22. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  23. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  24. He has no idea where the ________________ is.

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

Answer key

  1. staff — employees
  2. net — for catching
  3. march — the month
  4. net — in sport
  5. safe — out of danger
  6. foot — part of the body
  7. foot — the bottom
  8. bulb — for light
  9. staff — a stick
  10. net — after costs
  11. ball — a round shape
  12. ball — a dance
  13. temple — side of the head
  14. bulb — for light
  15. temple — a place of worship
  16. foot — a measure
  17. safe — out of danger
  18. march — the month
  19. march — music
  20. bulb — of a plant
  21. ball — a great time
  22. staff — employees
  23. temple — a place of worship
  24. safe — a strongbox

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