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: calf · ball · pit · rash · rest · suit · race · bulb

  1. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  2. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  3. The ________________ of the members were all out of tune.
  4. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  5. Don't do anything ________________.
  6. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  7. The King held a masked ________________.
  8. I've got to change the light ________________.
  9. When will it ________________ you to start?
  10. Atomic bombs are a danger to the human ________________.
  11. Only by prohibiting all nuclear weapons, we can together stop the arms ________________.
  12. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  13. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  14. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  15. I would like to have a ________________ here.
  16. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  17. Because of the accident, he'll have a limp for the ________________ of his life.
  18. Winning one ________________ isn't the same as dominating a sport.
  19. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  20. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  21. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  22. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  23. The light ________________ burned out.
  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. pit — in a race
  2. bulb — of a plant
  3. rest — what's left
  4. rash — a series
  5. rash — hasty
  6. pit — a hole
  7. ball — a dance
  8. bulb — for light
  9. suit — to fit
  10. race — humankind
  11. race — the arms race
  12. pit — a fruit stone
  13. ball — a great time
  14. suit — in cards
  15. rest — a break
  16. rash — on the skin
  17. rest — what's left
  18. race — a contest
  19. calf — a young animal
  20. calf — of the leg
  21. calf — a young animal
  22. ball — a round shape
  23. bulb — for light
  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