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: bulb · rush · foot · rest · drill · bore · ground · craft

  1. The ________________ was covered with snow, as far as the eye could see.
  2. The light ________________ burned out.
  3. Small ________________ should stay in the harbor during the storm.
  4. I would like to have a ________________ here.
  5. The ________________ of the members were all out of tune.
  6. We had a fire ________________ at school today.
  7. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  8. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  9. Add some ________________ pepper to it.
  10. I need a ________________ to install the towel rack.
  11. The soldiers did ________________ on the parade ground every morning.
  12. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  13. Flower arranging is a traditional ________________ in Japan.
  14. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  15. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  16. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  17. That must've been a ________________.
  18. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  19. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  20. There's no middle ________________.
  21. Because of the accident, he'll have a limp for the ________________ of his life.
  22. He spent years learning his ________________ as a carpenter.
  23. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  24. I've got to change the light ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. ground — the earth
  2. bulb — for light
  3. craft — boats
  4. rest — a break
  5. rest — what's left
  6. drill — a practice
  7. bore — to tire
  8. foot — the bottom
  9. ground — crushed
  10. drill — the tool
  11. drill — army training
  12. rush — to hurry
  13. craft — a handicraft
  14. bore — to drill
  15. rush — hurry
  16. foot — a measure
  17. rush — a thrill
  18. bulb — of a plant
  19. foot — part of the body
  20. ground — a position
  21. rest — what's left
  22. craft — a skill
  23. bore — gave birth
  24. bulb — for light

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