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: perch · spell · pass · safe · bear · foot · can · rash

  1. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  2. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  3. How do you ________________ your surname?
  4. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  5. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  6. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  7. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  8. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  9. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  10. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  11. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  12. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  13. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  14. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  15. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  16. Don't do anything ________________.
  17. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  18. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  19. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  20. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  21. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  22. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  23. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  24. Recycle the empty soda ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. perch — the fish
  2. perch — for a bird
  3. spell — letters
  4. pass — to spend time
  5. foot — a measure
  6. rash — on the skin
  7. rash — a series
  8. safe — a strongbox
  9. foot — the bottom
  10. can — a tin
  11. pass — a permit
  12. safe — out of danger
  13. bear — to put up with
  14. bear — the animal
  15. bear — the animal
  16. rash — hasty
  17. pass — to succeed
  18. perch — for a bird
  19. can — to be able to
  20. safe — out of danger
  21. spell — a short time
  22. spell — magic
  23. foot — part of the body
  24. can — a tin

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