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 120 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 · rush · bay · bulb · prune · coach · mug · rest

  1. I would like to have a ________________ here.
  2. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  3. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  4. I cannot ________________ this tree. It's too high.
  5. Have you met the new head ________________?
  6. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  7. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  8. Because of the accident, he'll have a limp for the ________________ of his life.
  9. The ________________ of the members were all out of tune.
  10. Do not ________________ roses in the fall.
  11. The light ________________ burned out.
  12. That must've been a ________________.
  13. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  14. Where did you ________________ them?
  15. My mare is ________________ in color.
  16. A ________________ is just a dried plum.
  17. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  18. I've got to change the light ________________.
  19. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  20. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  21. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  22. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  23. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  24. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.

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

Answer key

  1. rest — a break
  2. coach — a trainer
  3. bay — to keep at bay
  4. prune — to trim
  5. coach — a trainer
  6. rush — hurry
  7. rush — to hurry
  8. rest — what's left
  9. rest — what's left
  10. prune — to trim
  11. bulb — for light
  12. rush — a thrill
  13. bulb — of a plant
  14. mug — to rob
  15. bay — a horse colour
  16. prune — the fruit
  17. mug — a face
  18. bulb — for light
  19. bay — a part of the sea
  20. coach — pulled by horses
  21. fine — all right
  22. fine — high quality
  23. mug — a cup
  24. fine — a penalty

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