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

  1. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  2. How do you ________________ your surname?
  3. This piece is in a major ________________.
  4. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  5. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  6. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  7. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  8. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  9. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  10. We had to ________________ the boat across the lake.
  11. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  12. The girl drawing a picture in the first ________________ is my niece.
  13. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  14. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  15. I had a ________________ with my boss today.
  16. The tickets are free of ________________.
  17. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  18. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  19. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  20. Don't do anything ________________.
  21. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  22. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  23. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  24. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?

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

Answer key

  1. jam — in traffic
  2. spell — letters
  3. key — in music
  4. ruler — for measuring
  5. key — the most important part
  6. jam — a tight spot
  7. spell — a short time
  8. jam — to spread on bread
  9. lash — an eyelash
  10. row — to paddle
  11. ruler — for measuring
  12. row — a line
  13. spell — magic
  14. ruler — a monarch
  15. row — a quarrel
  16. charge — a price
  17. charge — electricity
  18. rash — on the skin
  19. lash — to lash out
  20. rash — hasty
  21. lash — a whip stroke
  22. charge — in control
  23. rash — a series
  24. key — for a lock

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