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. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  2. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  3. The dagger's metal was presumably from the same meteor ________________.
  4. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  5. We took cover from the thunder ________________.
  6. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  7. He's taking a ________________ right now.
  8. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  9. What do you think of the new ________________?
  10. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  11. Did you ________________ the meat?
  12. Sooner or later you'll have to ________________ the truth.
  13. She had a strange look on her ________________.
  14. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  15. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  16. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  17. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  18. This piece is in a major ________________.
  19. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  20. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  21. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  22. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  23. Our bedroom windows ________________ the sea.
  24. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. leaves — lets stay
  2. can — a tin
  3. shower — a meteor shower
  4. can — a tin
  5. shower — rain
  6. leaves — to go away
  7. shower — to wash
  8. key — for a lock
  9. cabinet — ministers
  10. leaves — of a tree
  11. season — to add flavour
  12. face — to confront
  13. face — part of the head
  14. cabinet — ministers
  15. season — in sport
  16. racket — a loud noise
  17. racket — for tennis
  18. key — in music
  19. key — the most important part
  20. season — of the year
  21. can — to be able to
  22. racket — for tennis
  23. face — to point toward
  24. cabinet — a cupboard

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