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 from the word bank in each sentence. Each word is used more than once, with a different meaning each time.

Word bank: fine · can · rock · bound · season · roll · bulb · hide

  1. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  2. The teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.
  3. The light ________________ burned out.
  4. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  5. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  6. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  7. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  8. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  9. I've got to change the light ________________.
  10. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  11. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  12. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  13. Did you ________________ the meat?
  14. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  15. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.
  16. We're on a ________________ here.
  17. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  18. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  19. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  20. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  21. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  22. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  23. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  24. That was ________________ to happen.

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

Answer key

  1. hide — to keep secret
  2. roll — a list
  3. bulb — for light
  4. hide — animal skin
  5. can — to be able to
  6. hide — to keep secret
  7. bound — tied together
  8. can — a tin
  9. bulb — for light
  10. fine — high quality
  11. rock — to move gently
  12. rock — music
  13. season — to add flavour
  14. can — a tin
  15. roll — a cake
  16. roll — on a roll
  17. season — in sport
  18. fine — all right
  19. bound — obliged
  20. bulb — of a plant
  21. rock — a stone
  22. season — of the year
  23. fine — a penalty
  24. bound — certain

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