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: saw · pitcher · scale · bulb · current · wave · squash · bore

  1. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  2. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  3. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  4. Cut the butternut ________________ into one-inch cubes.
  5. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  6. I've got to change the light ________________.
  7. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  8. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  9. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  10. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  11. He works in a ________________ mill.
  12. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  13. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  14. The light ________________ burned out.
  15. He is an ace ________________.
  16. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  17. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  18. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  19. She's very handy with a ________________.
  20. I'd like to play a game of ________________.
  21. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  22. The president vowed to ________________ the mutiny.
  23. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  24. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. wave — a sudden rise
  2. wave — with your hand
  3. bore — to drill
  4. squash — the vegetable
  5. bore — gave birth
  6. bulb — for light
  7. bulb — of a plant
  8. scale — in music
  9. current — happening now
  10. pitcher — a jug
  11. saw — the tool
  12. bore — to tire
  13. current — electric
  14. bulb — for light
  15. pitcher — in baseball
  16. scale — size or range
  17. pitcher — a jug
  18. current — of water
  19. saw — the tool
  20. squash — the sport
  21. scale — for weighing
  22. squash — to crush
  23. saw — past of 'see'
  24. wave — of the sea

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