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: pop · charge · firm · bay · dip · bulb · ruler · pitcher

  1. Michael Jackson and Prince changed the history of ________________ music.
  2. You don't need to ________________ round.
  3. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  4. My mare is ________________ in color.
  5. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  6. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  7. I've got to change the light ________________.
  8. We're almost out of ________________.
  9. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  10. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  11. He is an ace ________________.
  12. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  13. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  14. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  15. The light ________________ burned out.
  16. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  17. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  18. The tickets are free of ________________.
  19. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  20. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  21. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  22. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  23. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  24. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. pop — music
  2. pop — to visit
  3. charge — in control
  4. bay — a horse colour
  5. firm — a company
  6. ruler — for measuring
  7. bulb — for light
  8. pop — soda
  9. pitcher — a jug
  10. dip — to sink
  11. pitcher — in baseball
  12. bulb — of a plant
  13. charge — electricity
  14. dip — a sauce
  15. bulb — for light
  16. dip — to dunk
  17. pitcher — a jug
  18. charge — a price
  19. ruler — for measuring
  20. firm — decided
  21. firm — steady
  22. ruler — a monarch
  23. bay — a part of the sea
  24. bay — to keep at bay

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