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. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  2. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  3. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  4. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  5. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  6. Why do cosmetics have an expiration ________________?
  7. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  8. A ________________ is a sweet brown fruit from a palm tree.
  9. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  10. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  11. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  12. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  13. Have you settled on a ________________?
  14. He hasn't even shaken my ________________.
  15. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  16. The light ________________ burned out.
  17. What do you think of the new ________________?
  18. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  19. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  20. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  21. Do you need a ________________ with that?
  22. I've got to change the light ________________.
  23. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  24. I got dealt a bad ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. cue — for pool
  2. jam — in traffic
  3. toast — bread
  4. jam — a tight spot
  5. cue — a hint
  6. date — on the calendar
  7. mark — a grade
  8. date — the fruit
  9. bulb — of a plant
  10. cue — a signal
  11. cabinet — a cupboard
  12. cabinet — ministers
  13. date — on the calendar
  14. hand — part of the body
  15. toast — the most admired
  16. bulb — for light
  17. cabinet — ministers
  18. mark — a trace
  19. jam — to spread on bread
  20. mark — to pay attention
  21. hand — help
  22. bulb — for light
  23. toast — a drink to someone
  24. hand — in cards

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