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. TikTok makes it very easy to create ________________.
  2. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  3. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  4. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  5. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  6. Check the label for the sugar ________________.
  7. She's very handy with a ________________.
  8. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  9. Buy me a box of chocolates and I'll be ________________.
  10. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  11. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  12. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  13. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  14. This piece is in a major ________________.
  15. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  16. What's the difference between broth and ________________?
  17. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  18. He works in a ________________ mill.
  19. The supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.
  20. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  21. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  22. The ________________ market has crashed.
  23. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  24. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.

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

Answer key

  1. content — videos and posts
  2. key — for a lock
  3. saw — past of 'see'
  4. pass — to spend time
  5. lash — an eyelash
  6. content — the amount
  7. saw — the tool
  8. fine — all right
  9. content — happy
  10. root — of a plant
  11. fine — a penalty
  12. root — of a word
  13. fine — high quality
  14. key — in music
  15. pass — a permit
  16. stock — a soup base
  17. key — the most important part
  18. saw — the tool
  19. stock — goods
  20. root — the cause
  21. lash — to lash out
  22. stock — shares
  23. lash — a whip stroke
  24. pass — to succeed

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