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. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  2. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  3. That was ________________ to happen.
  4. I've got the luggage in my ________________.
  5. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  6. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  7. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  8. The tree's ________________ was scarred by lightning strikes.
  9. The ball hit the back of the ________________.
  10. Where did you ________________ them?
  11. The elephant has a huge ________________.
  12. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  13. He took the fish out of the ________________.
  14. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  15. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  16. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  17. What was your ________________ profit last year?
  18. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  19. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  20. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  21. Don't do anything ________________.
  22. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  23. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  24. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?

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

Answer key

  1. pass — to spend time
  2. rash — on the skin
  3. bound — certain
  4. trunk — of a car
  5. bound — tied together
  6. bear — the animal
  7. bear — the animal
  8. trunk — of a tree
  9. net — in sport
  10. mug — to rob
  11. trunk — of an elephant
  12. rash — a series
  13. net — for catching
  14. mug — a cup
  15. object — an aim
  16. bound — obliged
  17. net — after costs
  18. bear — to put up with
  19. object — a thing
  20. mug — a face
  21. rash — hasty
  22. pass — a permit
  23. pass — to succeed
  24. object — to protest

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