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 116 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 shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  2. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  3. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  4. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  5. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  6. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  7. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  8. Check the label for the sugar ________________.
  9. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  10. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  11. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  12. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  13. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  14. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  15. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  16. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  17. TikTok makes it very easy to create ________________.
  18. Have you found your soul ________________?
  19. Don't do anything ________________.
  20. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  21. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  22. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  23. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  24. Buy me a box of chocolates and I'll be ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. fine — high quality
  2. pass — to spend time
  3. mate — a friend
  4. rash — on the skin
  5. cue — a signal
  6. board — to get on
  7. pass — to succeed
  8. content — the amount
  9. board — a flat piece
  10. rock — to move gently
  11. fine — all right
  12. rock — a stone
  13. board — a committee
  14. rash — a series
  15. rock — music
  16. mate — to breed
  17. content — videos and posts
  18. mate — a partner
  19. rash — hasty
  20. pass — a permit
  21. cue — for pool
  22. cue — a hint
  23. fine — a penalty
  24. content — happy

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