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. Did you ________________ the meat?
  2. The light ________________ burned out.
  3. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  4. Where did you ________________ them?
  5. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  6. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  7. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  8. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  9. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  10. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  11. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  12. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  13. I've got to change the light ________________.
  14. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  15. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  16. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  17. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  18. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  19. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  20. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  21. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  22. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  23. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  24. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.

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

Answer key

  1. season — to add flavour
  2. bulb — for light
  3. object — an aim
  4. mug — to rob
  5. bank — for money
  6. can — to be able to
  7. season — in sport
  8. object — to protest
  9. fine — a penalty
  10. fine — all right
  11. bank — of a river
  12. object — a thing
  13. bulb — for light
  14. can — a tin
  15. bulb — of a plant
  16. cue — a signal
  17. cue — for pool
  18. can — a tin
  19. bank — for money
  20. cue — a hint
  21. mug — a cup
  22. season — of the year
  23. fine — high quality
  24. mug — a face

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