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 116 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. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  2. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  3. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  4. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  5. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  6. Have you met the new head ________________?
  7. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  8. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  9. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  10. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  11. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  12. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  13. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  14. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  15. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  16. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  17. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  18. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  19. Where did you ________________ them?
  20. Have you found your soul ________________?
  21. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  22. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  23. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  24. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.

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

Answer key

  1. dip — to sink
  2. mug — a cup
  3. coach — a trainer
  4. mug — a face
  5. bear — to put up with
  6. coach — a trainer
  7. calf — a young animal
  8. lash — an eyelash
  9. calf — of the leg
  10. lash — to lash out
  11. mate — to breed
  12. calf — a young animal
  13. current — of water
  14. mate — a friend
  15. current — electric
  16. dip — a sauce
  17. bear — the animal
  18. dip — to dunk
  19. mug — to rob
  20. mate — a partner
  21. bear — the animal
  22. lash — a whip stroke
  23. coach — pulled by horses
  24. current — happening now

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