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: calf · staff · march · bear · temple · snap · rush · can

  1. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  2. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  3. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  4. We will have lived in Kyoto for eight years next ________________.
  5. You don't have to ________________ at me like that.
  6. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  7. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  8. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  9. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  10. That must've been a ________________.
  11. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  12. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  13. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  14. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  15. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  16. When I ________________ my fingers, you'll wake up.
  17. His birthday is in either ________________ or April.
  18. The band played a military ________________ at the parade.
  19. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  20. When was this ________________ built?
  21. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  22. ________________ out of it! You haven't done a thing all week.
  23. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  24. Take your time. There's no ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. calf — of the leg
  2. calf — a young animal
  3. rush — to hurry
  4. march — the month
  5. snap — to speak sharply
  6. calf — a young animal
  7. can — a tin
  8. temple — side of the head
  9. staff — employees
  10. rush — a thrill
  11. bear — the animal
  12. can — to be able to
  13. staff — employees
  14. temple — a place of worship
  15. can — a tin
  16. snap — to click
  17. march — the month
  18. march — music
  19. bear — to put up with
  20. temple — a place of worship
  21. staff — a stick
  22. snap — to snap out of it
  23. bear — the animal
  24. rush — hurry

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