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 in each sentence. Each word is used more than once, with a different meaning each time.

  1. He took the fish out of the ________________.
  2. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  3. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  4. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  5. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  6. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  7. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  8. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  9. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  10. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  11. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  12. Check the label for the sugar ________________.
  13. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  14. TikTok makes it very easy to create ________________.
  15. Buy me a box of chocolates and I'll be ________________.
  16. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  17. This piece is in a major ________________.
  18. The ball hit the back of the ________________.
  19. What was your ________________ profit last year?
  20. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  21. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  22. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  23. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  24. He is an ace ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. net — for catching
  2. pitcher — a jug
  3. key — for a lock
  4. leaves — to go away
  5. bear — the animal
  6. bear — the animal
  7. can — a tin
  8. bank — for money
  9. bear — to put up with
  10. leaves — of a tree
  11. can — a tin
  12. content — the amount
  13. key — the most important part
  14. content — videos and posts
  15. content — happy
  16. bank — of a river
  17. key — in music
  18. net — in sport
  19. net — after costs
  20. bank — for money
  21. pitcher — a jug
  22. leaves — lets stay
  23. can — to be able to
  24. pitcher — in baseball

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