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 120 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: lash · bowl · pitch · pound · saw · current · mouse · cue

  1. The players ran onto the football ________________.
  2. He works in a ________________ mill.
  3. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  4. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  5. She's very handy with a ________________.
  6. Jeff had to ________________ the pavement for three months before he found a job.
  7. Rodrigo's family went to the dog ________________ to adopt a dog.
  8. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  9. The room was ________________ black, so I couldn't see a thing.
  10. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  11. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  12. A ________________ is equal to sixteen ounces.
  13. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  14. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  15. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  16. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  17. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  18. She's preparing to ________________ her idea to the investors.
  19. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  20. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  21. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  22. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  23. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  24. The spa offers ________________ extensions.

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

Answer key

  1. pitch — a sports field
  2. saw — the tool
  3. cue — for pool
  4. cue — a signal
  5. saw — the tool
  6. pound — to hit hard
  7. pound — for dogs
  8. bowl — a dish
  9. pitch — completely
  10. cue — a hint
  11. saw — past of 'see'
  12. pound — a weight
  13. current — happening now
  14. mouse — for a computer
  15. lash — to lash out
  16. bowl — a football final
  17. current — of water
  18. pitch — a sales talk
  19. lash — a whip stroke
  20. mouse — the animal
  21. current — electric
  22. mouse — the animal
  23. bowl — to roll
  24. lash — an eyelash

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