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: bulb · track · wave · bowl · calf · cue · band · can

  1. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  2. He still wears his gold wedding ________________.
  3. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  4. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  5. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  6. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  7. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  8. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  9. The light ________________ burned out.
  10. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  11. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  12. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  13. He's the lead singer in a rock ________________.
  14. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  15. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  16. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  17. I've got to change the light ________________.
  18. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  19. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  20. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  21. He put a rubber ________________ around the bundle of letters.
  22. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  23. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  24. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. track — a path
  2. band — a ring
  3. cue — for pool
  4. bulb — of a plant
  5. bowl — to roll
  6. calf — of the leg
  7. can — a tin
  8. can — a tin
  9. bulb — for light
  10. track — a song
  11. calf — a young animal
  12. can — to be able to
  13. band — a music group
  14. bowl — a football final
  15. cue — a signal
  16. bowl — a dish
  17. bulb — for light
  18. calf — a young animal
  19. cue — a hint
  20. track — to keep track
  21. band — a rubber band
  22. wave — a sudden rise
  23. wave — with your hand
  24. wave — of the sea

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