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. A ________________ is a sweet brown fruit from a palm tree.
  2. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  3. Have you settled on a ________________?
  4. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  5. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  6. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  7. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  8. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  9. What do you think of the new ________________?
  10. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  11. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  12. Only by prohibiting all nuclear weapons, we can together stop the arms ________________.
  13. We came to a ________________ in the road and had no idea which direction to go.
  14. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  15. Have you found your soul ________________?
  16. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  17. Atomic bombs are a danger to the human ________________.
  18. Use a garden ________________ to turn the soil.
  19. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  20. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  21. Why do cosmetics have an expiration ________________?
  22. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  23. Winning one ________________ isn't the same as dominating a sport.
  24. We usually eat with a knife, ________________ and spoon.

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

Answer key

  1. date — the fruit
  2. lash — an eyelash
  3. date — on the calendar
  4. lash — to lash out
  5. cabinet — ministers
  6. cue — for pool
  7. track — to keep track
  8. cabinet — a cupboard
  9. cabinet — ministers
  10. track — a song
  11. mate — a friend
  12. race — the arms race
  13. fork — in a road
  14. mate — to breed
  15. mate — a partner
  16. track — a path
  17. race — humankind
  18. fork — a garden tool
  19. lash — a whip stroke
  20. cue — a signal
  21. date — on the calendar
  22. cue — a hint
  23. race — a contest
  24. fork — to eat with

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