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 · toast · net · pop · club · temple · saw · charge

  1. The ball hit the back of the ________________.
  2. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  3. He works in a ________________ mill.
  4. He took the fish out of the ________________.
  5. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  6. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  7. She's very handy with a ________________.
  8. I've got to change the light ________________.
  9. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  10. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  11. Michael Jackson and Prince changed the history of ________________ music.
  12. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  13. You don't need to ________________ round.
  14. What was your ________________ profit last year?
  15. We're almost out of ________________.
  16. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  17. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  18. The tickets are free of ________________.
  19. When was this ________________ built?
  20. I belonged to the harmonica ________________ in my high school days.
  21. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  22. My rich neighbors belong to a private golf ________________.
  23. Later, his shop becomes a ________________ with young dancers.
  24. The light ________________ burned out.

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

Answer key

  1. net — in sport
  2. charge — electricity
  3. saw — the tool
  4. net — for catching
  5. toast — a drink to someone
  6. bulb — of a plant
  7. saw — the tool
  8. bulb — for light
  9. toast — bread
  10. temple — side of the head
  11. pop — music
  12. charge — in control
  13. pop — to visit
  14. net — after costs
  15. pop — soda
  16. temple — a place of worship
  17. saw — past of 'see'
  18. charge — a price
  19. temple — a place of worship
  20. club — a group
  21. toast — the most admired
  22. club — for golf
  23. club — for dancing
  24. bulb — for light

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