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: bulb · toast · pass · rash · hide · rest · bay · racket

  1. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  2. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  3. Because of the accident, he'll have a limp for the ________________ of his life.
  4. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  5. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  6. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  7. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  8. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  9. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  10. I've got to change the light ________________.
  11. My mare is ________________ in color.
  12. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  13. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  14. The ________________ of the members were all out of tune.
  15. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  16. Don't do anything ________________.
  17. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  18. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  19. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  20. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  21. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  22. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  23. The light ________________ burned out.
  24. I would like to have a ________________ here.

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

Answer key

  1. racket — a loud noise
  2. hide — to keep secret
  3. rest — what's left
  4. rash — on the skin
  5. bulb — of a plant
  6. pass — to spend time
  7. hide — to keep secret
  8. toast — the most admired
  9. rash — a series
  10. bulb — for light
  11. bay — a horse colour
  12. hide — animal skin
  13. bay — a part of the sea
  14. rest — what's left
  15. bay — to keep at bay
  16. rash — hasty
  17. toast — a drink to someone
  18. pass — to succeed
  19. pass — a permit
  20. toast — bread
  21. racket — for tennis
  22. racket — for tennis
  23. bulb — for light
  24. rest — a break

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