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. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  2. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  3. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  4. The chairman did not ________________ out the possibility of a disagreement.
  5. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  6. Will civil ________________ and democracy continue in Algeria?
  7. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  8. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  9. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  10. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  11. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  12. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  13. The tickets are free of ________________.
  14. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  15. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  16. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  17. Remember our ________________: no talking to strangers, no matter what.
  18. The ________________ went through the wall.
  19. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  20. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  21. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  22. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  23. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  24. Where can I ________________ my mobile?

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

Answer key

  1. jam — to spread on bread
  2. leaves — to go away
  3. leaves — of a tree
  4. rule — to rule out
  5. jam — in traffic
  6. rule — government
  7. charge — in control
  8. nail — for a hammer
  9. cue — a hint
  10. nail — on a finger
  11. racket — for tennis
  12. leaves — lets stay
  13. charge — a price
  14. racket — for tennis
  15. jam — a tight spot
  16. bear — to put up with
  17. rule — a law
  18. nail — for a hammer
  19. bear — the animal
  20. cue — for pool
  21. bear — the animal
  22. cue — a signal
  23. racket — a loud noise
  24. charge — electricity

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