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. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  2. He took the fish out of the ________________.
  3. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  4. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  5. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  6. What was your ________________ profit last year?
  7. The ball hit the back of the ________________.
  8. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  9. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  10. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  11. When was this ________________ built?
  12. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  13. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  14. I'll be taking the ________________.
  15. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  16. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  17. The King held a masked ________________.
  18. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  19. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  20. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  21. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  22. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  23. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  24. Can you turn the ________________ on?

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

Answer key

  1. bank — for money
  2. net — for catching
  3. rock — a stone
  4. ball — a round shape
  5. deal — an agreement
  6. net — after costs
  7. net — in sport
  8. fan — a supporter
  9. temple — side of the head
  10. tube — in a tire
  11. temple — a place of worship
  12. deal — a big deal
  13. fan — a supporter
  14. tube — the underground
  15. deal — to handle
  16. bank — of a river
  17. ball — a dance
  18. rock — music
  19. ball — a great time
  20. temple — a place of worship
  21. tube — a container
  22. rock — to move gently
  23. bank — for money
  24. fan — to cool the air

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