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: lean · calf · mouse · bulb · can · game · temple · hide

  1. He is as ________________ as a wolf.
  2. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  3. The light ________________ burned out.
  4. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  5. That was a fun ________________.
  6. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  7. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  8. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  9. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  10. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  11. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  12. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  13. When was this ________________ built?
  14. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  15. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  16. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  17. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  18. Roulette is a ________________ of chance.
  19. I've got to change the light ________________.
  20. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  21. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  22. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  23. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  24. The pointer is employed to find upland ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. lean — thin
  2. bulb — of a plant
  3. bulb — for light
  4. lean — to rest against
  5. game — a match
  6. can — a tin
  7. temple — side of the head
  8. mouse — for a computer
  9. calf — of the leg
  10. hide — to keep secret
  11. mouse — the animal
  12. calf — a young animal
  13. temple — a place of worship
  14. mouse — the animal
  15. can — a tin
  16. temple — a place of worship
  17. hide — to keep secret
  18. game — a kind of play
  19. bulb — for light
  20. hide — animal skin
  21. lean — to bend
  22. can — to be able to
  23. calf — a young animal
  24. game — wild animals

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