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 · net · season · stick · mouse · content · bass · lash

  1. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  2. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  3. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  4. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  5. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  6. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  7. I've got to change the light ________________.
  8. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  9. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  10. Buy me a box of chocolates and I'll be ________________.
  11. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  12. He took the fish out of the ________________.
  13. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  14. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  15. Check the label for the sugar ________________.
  16. What was your ________________ profit last year?
  17. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  18. The ball hit the back of the ________________.
  19. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  20. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  21. The light ________________ burned out.
  22. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  23. Did you ________________ the meat?
  24. TikTok makes it very easy to create ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. stick — to attach or keep to
  2. lash — a whip stroke
  3. bulb — of a plant
  4. bass — low music
  5. stick — a piece of wood
  6. bass — the fish
  7. bulb — for light
  8. lash — an eyelash
  9. season — of the year
  10. content — happy
  11. mouse — the animal
  12. net — for catching
  13. lash — to lash out
  14. mouse — for a computer
  15. content — the amount
  16. net — after costs
  17. season — in sport
  18. net — in sport
  19. stick — a piece of wood
  20. bass — the instrument
  21. bulb — for light
  22. mouse — the animal
  23. season — to add flavour
  24. content — videos and posts

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