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. Hold the papers together with a ________________.
  2. It seems a cruel thing to ________________ a bird's wings.
  3. Where did you ________________ them?
  4. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  5. How can I extract the audio from a video ________________?
  6. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  7. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  8. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  9. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  10. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  11. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  12. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  13. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  14. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  15. When a clown is made king, the ________________ becomes a circus.
  16. When will it ________________ you to start?
  17. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  18. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  19. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  20. The ball is in your ________________.
  21. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  22. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  23. The ________________ found him guilty of stealing money.
  24. He refilled his coffee ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. clip — for paper
  2. clip — to cut
  3. mug — to rob
  4. pass — a permit
  5. clip — a video
  6. toast — bread
  7. can — a tin
  8. jam — in traffic
  9. pass — to succeed
  10. can — a tin
  11. jam — a tight spot
  12. mug — a face
  13. toast — a drink to someone
  14. jam — to spread on bread
  15. court — of a king
  16. suit — to fit
  17. suit — clothes
  18. suit — in cards
  19. can — to be able to
  20. court — for sport
  21. pass — to spend time
  22. toast — the most admired
  23. court — of law
  24. mug — a cup

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