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: file · mouse · temple · scale · pit · wave · suit · bulb

  1. The information is stored in a ________________ on my computer.
  2. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  3. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  4. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  5. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  6. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  7. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  8. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  9. When was this ________________ built?
  10. We walked down the narrow path in single ________________.
  11. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  12. The light ________________ burned out.
  13. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  14. He rubbed the rust off with a ________________.
  15. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  16. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  17. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  18. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  19. I've got to change the light ________________.
  20. When will it ________________ you to start?
  21. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  22. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  23. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  24. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. file — a document
  2. scale — in music
  3. pit — a hole
  4. mouse — for a computer
  5. temple — a place of worship
  6. suit — clothes
  7. wave — of the sea
  8. bulb — of a plant
  9. temple — a place of worship
  10. file — a line of people
  11. scale — for weighing
  12. bulb — for light
  13. pit — in a race
  14. file — a tool
  15. temple — side of the head
  16. pit — a fruit stone
  17. scale — size or range
  18. wave — with your hand
  19. bulb — for light
  20. suit — to fit
  21. mouse — the animal
  22. mouse — the animal
  23. wave — a sudden rise
  24. suit — in cards

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