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: jam · ball · lash · mouse · bulb · safe · chip · pitcher

  1. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  2. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  3. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  4. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  5. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  6. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  7. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  8. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  9. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  10. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  11. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  12. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  13. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  14. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  15. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  16. The King held a masked ________________.
  17. He is an ace ________________.
  18. I've got to change the light ________________.
  19. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  20. The light ________________ burned out.
  21. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  22. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  23. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  24. Is it ________________ for us to be here?

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

Answer key

  1. jam — in traffic
  2. mouse — for a computer
  3. lash — an eyelash
  4. lash — a whip stroke
  5. jam — a tight spot
  6. chip — in a computer
  7. safe — a strongbox
  8. mouse — the animal
  9. safe — out of danger
  10. jam — to spread on bread
  11. chip — to eat
  12. ball — a round shape
  13. pitcher — a jug
  14. pitcher — a jug
  15. bulb — of a plant
  16. ball — a dance
  17. pitcher — in baseball
  18. bulb — for light
  19. lash — to lash out
  20. bulb — for light
  21. chip — for betting
  22. mouse — the animal
  23. ball — a great time
  24. safe — out of danger

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