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: perch · key · deal · bore · suit · ground · craft · staff

  1. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  2. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  3. When will it ________________ you to start?
  4. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  5. Add some ________________ pepper to it.
  6. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  7. Small ________________ should stay in the harbor during the storm.
  8. There's no middle ________________.
  9. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  10. This piece is in a major ________________.
  11. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  12. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  13. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  14. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  15. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  16. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  17. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  18. The ________________ was covered with snow, as far as the eye could see.
  19. He spent years learning his ________________ as a carpenter.
  20. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  21. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  22. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  23. Flower arranging is a traditional ________________ in Japan.
  24. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.

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

Answer key

  1. bore — gave birth
  2. suit — in cards
  3. suit — to fit
  4. deal — to handle
  5. ground — crushed
  6. bore — to drill
  7. craft — boats
  8. ground — a position
  9. perch — the fish
  10. key — in music
  11. perch — for a bird
  12. key — for a lock
  13. bore — to tire
  14. key — the most important part
  15. deal — a big deal
  16. staff — a stick
  17. staff — employees
  18. ground — the earth
  19. craft — a skill
  20. deal — an agreement
  21. perch — for a bird
  22. staff — employees
  23. craft — a handicraft
  24. suit — clothes

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