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: mug · rock · bear · calf · firm · plane · mouse · trunk

  1. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  2. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  3. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  4. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  5. The elephant has a huge ________________.
  6. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  7. The tree's ________________ was scarred by lightning strikes.
  8. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  9. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  10. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  11. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  12. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  13. Where did you ________________ them?
  14. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  15. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  16. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  17. The ________________ took off on time.
  18. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  19. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  20. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  21. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  22. I've got the luggage in my ________________.
  23. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  24. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. firm — a company
  2. mouse — the animal
  3. rock — music
  4. plane — a tool
  5. trunk — of an elephant
  6. firm — decided
  7. trunk — of a tree
  8. firm — steady
  9. rock — to move gently
  10. bear — the animal
  11. calf — a young animal
  12. calf — of the leg
  13. mug — to rob
  14. bear — to put up with
  15. rock — a stone
  16. mouse — for a computer
  17. plane — an aircraft
  18. mug — a cup
  19. calf — a young animal
  20. bear — the animal
  21. plane — in geometry
  22. trunk — of a car
  23. mug — a face
  24. mouse — the animal

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