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: rock · swing · stem · snap · safe · dip · can · bulb

  1. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  2. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  3. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  4. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  5. The big green plant was starting to droop at the ________________.
  6. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  7. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  8. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  9. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  10. Many English words ________________ from Latin.
  11. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  12. You don't have to ________________ at me like that.
  13. ________________ out of it! You haven't done a thing all week.
  14. When I ________________ my fingers, you'll wake up.
  15. I've got to change the light ________________.
  16. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  17. David sat on the ________________.
  18. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  19. Scientists study ________________ cells to repair damaged tissue.
  20. The coach helped Matthew straighten out his golf ________________, improving his game.
  21. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  22. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  23. The light ________________ burned out.
  24. In jazz, ________________ was gradually being replaced by bebop.

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

Answer key

  1. can — to be able to
  2. dip — a sauce
  3. dip — to dunk
  4. can — a tin
  5. stem — of a plant
  6. safe — out of danger
  7. can — a tin
  8. bulb — of a plant
  9. rock — music
  10. stem — to come from
  11. rock — a stone
  12. snap — to speak sharply
  13. snap — to snap out of it
  14. snap — to click
  15. bulb — for light
  16. safe — a strongbox
  17. swing — to play on
  18. rock — to move gently
  19. stem — a stem cell
  20. swing — in golf
  21. safe — out of danger
  22. dip — to sink
  23. bulb — for light
  24. swing — music

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