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. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  2. The players ran onto the football ________________.
  3. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  4. She's preparing to ________________ her idea to the investors.
  5. I've got to change the light ________________.
  6. In my city, the temperature is one ________________ above zero.
  7. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  8. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  9. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  10. The light ________________ burned out.
  11. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  12. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  13. The room was ________________ black, so I couldn't see a thing.
  14. To what ________________ are you interested in baseball?
  15. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  16. I'll be taking the ________________.
  17. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  18. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  19. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  20. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  21. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  22. When will it ________________ you to start?
  23. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  24. A university ________________ is the ticket to a successful career.

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

Answer key

  1. rock — to move gently
  2. pitch — a sports field
  3. tube — in a tire
  4. pitch — a sales talk
  5. bulb — for light
  6. degree — temperature
  7. safe — out of danger
  8. rock — music
  9. firm — a company
  10. bulb — for light
  11. rock — a stone
  12. suit — clothes
  13. pitch — completely
  14. degree — an amount
  15. suit — in cards
  16. tube — the underground
  17. firm — steady
  18. tube — a container
  19. safe — out of danger
  20. firm — decided
  21. safe — a strongbox
  22. suit — to fit
  23. bulb — of a plant
  24. degree — from a university

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