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 kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  2. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  3. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  4. When will it ________________ you to start?
  5. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  6. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  7. That must've been a ________________.
  8. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  9. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  10. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  11. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  12. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  13. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  14. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  15. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  16. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  17. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  18. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  19. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  20. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  21. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  22. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  23. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  24. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. scale — for weighing
  2. bowl — a football final
  3. jam — a tight spot
  4. suit — to fit
  5. can — a tin
  6. bowl — a dish
  7. rush — a thrill
  8. bowl — to roll
  9. calf — of the leg
  10. jam — to spread on bread
  11. mark — to pay attention
  12. mark — a grade
  13. scale — in music
  14. jam — in traffic
  15. scale — size or range
  16. rush — to hurry
  17. calf — a young animal
  18. can — to be able to
  19. calf — a young animal
  20. suit — clothes
  21. rush — hurry
  22. can — a tin
  23. mark — a trace
  24. suit — in cards

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