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: saw · fine · can · root · swing · bass · foot · bulb

  1. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  2. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  3. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  4. I've got to change the light ________________.
  5. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  6. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  7. David sat on the ________________.
  8. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  9. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  10. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  11. The light ________________ burned out.
  12. She's very handy with a ________________.
  13. He works in a ________________ mill.
  14. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  15. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  16. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  17. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  18. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  19. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  20. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  21. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  22. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  23. In jazz, ________________ was gradually being replaced by bebop.
  24. The coach helped Matthew straighten out his golf ________________, improving his game.

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

Answer key

  1. root — of a plant
  2. foot — part of the body
  3. can — a tin
  4. bulb — for light
  5. fine — all right
  6. can — to be able to
  7. swing — to play on
  8. can — a tin
  9. foot — a measure
  10. fine — high quality
  11. bulb — for light
  12. saw — the tool
  13. saw — the tool
  14. root — of a word
  15. bass — low music
  16. bulb — of a plant
  17. saw — past of 'see'
  18. bass — the fish
  19. foot — the bottom
  20. root — the cause
  21. bass — the instrument
  22. fine — a penalty
  23. swing — music
  24. swing — in golf

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