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: suit · key · shower · perch · cue · season · calf · rock

  1. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  2. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  3. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  4. We took cover from the thunder ________________.
  5. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  6. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  7. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  8. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  9. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  10. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  11. This piece is in a major ________________.
  12. When will it ________________ you to start?
  13. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  14. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  15. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  16. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  17. The dagger's metal was presumably from the same meteor ________________.
  18. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  19. He's taking a ________________ right now.
  20. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  21. Did you ________________ the meat?
  22. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  23. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  24. Spring is a pleasant ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. calf — a young animal
  2. rock — a stone
  3. rock — to move gently
  4. shower — rain
  5. cue — a hint
  6. calf — a young animal
  7. cue — a signal
  8. cue — for pool
  9. perch — the fish
  10. suit — in cards
  11. key — in music
  12. suit — to fit
  13. perch — for a bird
  14. key — the most important part
  15. calf — of the leg
  16. key — for a lock
  17. shower — a meteor shower
  18. perch — for a bird
  19. shower — to wash
  20. suit — clothes
  21. season — to add flavour
  22. rock — music
  23. season — in sport
  24. season — of the year

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