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 116 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: rock · saw · suit · fine · prune · perch · can · last

  1. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  2. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  3. Do not ________________ roses in the fall.
  4. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  5. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  6. When will it ________________ you to start?
  7. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  8. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  9. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  10. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  11. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  12. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  13. He works in a ________________ mill.
  14. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  15. At ________________, we arrived at the village.
  16. A ________________ is just a dried plum.
  17. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  18. False peace will not ________________.
  19. I cannot ________________ this tree. It's too high.
  20. Today is the ________________ day of the holidays. Back to school tomorrow!
  21. She's very handy with a ________________.
  22. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  23. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  24. I don't want to ________________ the boat.

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

Answer key

  1. rock — a stone
  2. can — a tin
  3. prune — to trim
  4. can — a tin
  5. fine — a penalty
  6. suit — to fit
  7. suit — in cards
  8. suit — clothes
  9. perch — for a bird
  10. perch — the fish
  11. fine — all right
  12. saw — past of 'see'
  13. saw — the tool
  14. can — to be able to
  15. last — finally
  16. prune — the fruit
  17. perch — for a bird
  18. last — to go on
  19. prune — to trim
  20. last — final
  21. saw — the tool
  22. rock — music
  23. fine — high quality
  24. rock — to move gently

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