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 116 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.
Multiple-Meaning Words
Name: ____________________Date: __________
Write the missing word in each sentence. Each word is used more than once, with a different meaning each time.
- Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
- Friends gathered at the ________________ to remember him.
- The speedboat left a long ________________ behind it.
- A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
- He refilled his coffee ________________.
- The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
- When I ________________ my fingers, you'll wake up.
- ________________ out of it! You haven't done a thing all week.
- Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
- You don't have to ________________ at me like that.
- You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
- I didn't ________________ up well this morning.
- When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
- The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
- Have you met the new head ________________?
- I'll take my ________________ from you.
- Where did you ________________ them?
- I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
Sentences from ClueBy, Tatoeba (CC BY 2.0 FR) and Common Voice (CC0). clueby.com
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