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 · season · net · rock · jam · firm · temple · deal

  1. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  2. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  3. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  4. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  5. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  6. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  7. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  8. When was this ________________ built?
  9. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  10. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  11. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  12. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  13. The ball hit the back of the ________________.
  14. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  15. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  16. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  17. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  18. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  19. He took the fish out of the ________________.
  20. What was your ________________ profit last year?
  21. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  22. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  23. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  24. Did you ________________ the meat?

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

Answer key

  1. firm — steady
  2. temple — side of the head
  3. firm — a company
  4. deal — an agreement
  5. calf — of the leg
  6. calf — a young animal
  7. firm — decided
  8. temple — a place of worship
  9. jam — a tight spot
  10. rock — music
  11. jam — to spread on bread
  12. deal — a big deal
  13. net — in sport
  14. season — in sport
  15. rock — to move gently
  16. season — of the year
  17. rock — a stone
  18. deal — to handle
  19. net — for catching
  20. net — after costs
  21. calf — a young animal
  22. jam — in traffic
  23. temple — a place of worship
  24. season — to add flavour

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