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 120 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. He took the fish out of the ________________.
  2. I can't ________________ this cold.
  3. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  4. The ball hit the back of the ________________.
  5. The ________________ took off on time.
  6. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  7. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  8. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  9. Don't do anything ________________.
  10. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  11. What was your ________________ profit last year?
  12. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  13. When will it ________________ you to start?
  14. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  15. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  16. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  17. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  18. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  19. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  20. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  21. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  22. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  23. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  24. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.

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

Answer key

  1. net — for catching
  2. stand — to bear
  3. bore — to tire
  4. net — in sport
  5. plane — an aircraft
  6. rash — on the skin
  7. suit — in cards
  8. suit — clothes
  9. rash — hasty
  10. bore — gave birth
  11. net — after costs
  12. mouse — the animal
  13. suit — to fit
  14. rash — a series
  15. mouse — for a computer
  16. stand — for spectators
  17. fine — a penalty
  18. plane — a tool
  19. fine — all right
  20. mouse — the animal
  21. fine — high quality
  22. plane — in geometry
  23. bore — to drill
  24. stand — on your feet

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