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: pass · chip · calf · rush · mouse · pitch · perch · spring

  1. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  2. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  3. The flowers bloom in the ________________.
  4. The room was ________________ black, so I couldn't see a thing.
  5. The players ran onto the football ________________.
  6. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  7. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  8. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  9. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  10. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  11. That must've been a ________________.
  12. There's a broken ________________ in the bed.
  13. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  14. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  15. The hotel is built around a mineral ________________.
  16. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  17. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  18. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  19. She's preparing to ________________ her idea to the investors.
  20. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  21. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  22. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  23. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  24. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.

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

Answer key

  1. chip — in a computer
  2. calf — a young animal
  3. spring — the season
  4. pitch — completely
  5. pitch — a sports field
  6. calf — of the leg
  7. calf — a young animal
  8. perch — the fish
  9. pass — a permit
  10. mouse — the animal
  11. rush — a thrill
  12. spring — a coil
  13. perch — for a bird
  14. mouse — for a computer
  15. spring — of water
  16. chip — to eat
  17. mouse — the animal
  18. chip — for betting
  19. pitch — a sales talk
  20. perch — for a bird
  21. pass — to spend time
  22. rush — to hurry
  23. rush — hurry
  24. pass — to succeed

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