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. In jazz, ________________ was gradually being replaced by bebop.
  2. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  3. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  4. The ________________ market has crashed.
  5. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  6. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  7. The coach helped Matthew straighten out his golf ________________, improving his game.
  8. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  9. We will have lived in Kyoto for eight years next ________________.
  10. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  11. The band played a military ________________ at the parade.
  12. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  13. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  14. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  15. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  16. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  17. What's the difference between broth and ________________?
  18. When will it ________________ you to start?
  19. His birthday is in either ________________ or April.
  20. David sat on the ________________.
  21. He is an ace ________________.
  22. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  23. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  24. The supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.

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

Answer key

  1. swing — music
  2. chip — to eat
  3. mark — a grade
  4. stock — shares
  5. chip — in a computer
  6. suit — clothes
  7. swing — in golf
  8. chip — for betting
  9. march — the month
  10. board — a flat piece
  11. march — music
  12. board — to get on
  13. pitcher — a jug
  14. pitcher — a jug
  15. mark — to pay attention
  16. mark — a trace
  17. stock — a soup base
  18. suit — to fit
  19. march — the month
  20. swing — to play on
  21. pitcher — in baseball
  22. board — a committee
  23. suit — in cards
  24. stock — goods

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