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. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  2. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  3. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  4. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  5. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  6. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  7. That must've been a ________________.
  8. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  9. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  10. He put a rubber ________________ around the bundle of letters.
  11. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  12. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  13. My mare is ________________ in color.
  14. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  15. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  16. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  17. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  18. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  19. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  20. Did you ________________ the meat?
  21. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  22. He still wears his gold wedding ________________.
  23. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  24. He's the lead singer in a rock ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. chip — to eat
  2. rush — to hurry
  3. bay — a part of the sea
  4. pass — a permit
  5. pass — to succeed
  6. chip — in a computer
  7. rush — a thrill
  8. season — in sport
  9. lie — an untruth
  10. band — a rubber band
  11. root — the cause
  12. root — of a plant
  13. bay — a horse colour
  14. root — of a word
  15. pass — to spend time
  16. lie — an untruth
  17. chip — for betting
  18. season — of the year
  19. lie — to recline
  20. season — to add flavour
  21. rush — hurry
  22. band — a ring
  23. bay — to keep at bay
  24. band — a music group

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