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. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  2. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  3. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  4. Have you found your soul ________________?
  5. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  6. This piece is in a major ________________.
  7. When will it ________________ you to start?
  8. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  9. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  10. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  11. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  12. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  13. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  14. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  15. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  16. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  17. Did you ________________ the button?
  18. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  19. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  20. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  21. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  22. That was ________________ to happen.
  23. Don't do anything ________________.
  24. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.

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

Answer key

  1. key — for a lock
  2. bound — obliged
  3. fine — a penalty
  4. mate — a partner
  5. suit — clothes
  6. key — in music
  7. suit — to fit
  8. press — newspapers
  9. can — a tin
  10. mate — to breed
  11. suit — in cards
  12. rash — a series
  13. mate — a friend
  14. bound — tied together
  15. can — to be able to
  16. fine — all right
  17. press — to push
  18. fine — high quality
  19. can — a tin
  20. rash — on the skin
  21. key — the most important part
  22. bound — certain
  23. rash — hasty
  24. press — a publisher

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