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 cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  2. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  3. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  4. Did you ________________ the meat?
  5. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  6. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  7. This piece is in a major ________________.
  8. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  9. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  10. Michael Jackson and Prince changed the history of ________________ music.
  11. You don't need to ________________ round.
  12. When will it ________________ you to start?
  13. Algeria is a ________________ of gas and oil.
  14. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  15. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  16. When are we going to ________________?
  17. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  18. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  19. We're almost out of ________________.
  20. I'm the one who owns all this ________________.
  21. That must've been a ________________.
  22. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  23. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  24. Take your time. There's no ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. suit — clothes
  2. mark — a trace
  3. mark — a grade
  4. season — to add flavour
  5. key — the most important part
  6. rush — to hurry
  7. key — in music
  8. firm — a company
  9. firm — decided
  10. pop — music
  11. pop — to visit
  12. suit — to fit
  13. land — a country
  14. mark — to pay attention
  15. key — for a lock
  16. land — to come down
  17. season — in sport
  18. suit — in cards
  19. pop — soda
  20. land — ground
  21. rush — a thrill
  22. firm — steady
  23. season — of the year
  24. rush — hurry

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