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 120 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. He works in a ________________ mill.
  2. The ________________ hangs upside down in the cave.
  3. The ________________ was stolen yesterday, along with the balls.
  4. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  5. She's very handy with a ________________.
  6. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  7. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  8. Where did you ________________ them?
  9. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  10. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  11. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  12. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  13. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  14. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  15. Tom didn't even ________________ an eye.
  16. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  17. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  18. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  19. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  20. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  21. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  22. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  23. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  24. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.

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

Answer key

  1. saw — the tool
  2. bat — the animal
  3. bat — for baseball
  4. stick — a piece of wood
  5. saw — the tool
  6. stick — to attach or keep to
  7. stick — a piece of wood
  8. mug — to rob
  9. mouse — the animal
  10. mug — a cup
  11. bass — the instrument
  12. mouse — for a computer
  13. racket — for tennis
  14. pass — a permit
  15. bat — in an idiom
  16. bass — the fish
  17. pass — to spend time
  18. racket — for tennis
  19. racket — a loud noise
  20. saw — past of 'see'
  21. mouse — the animal
  22. pass — to succeed
  23. mug — a face
  24. bass — low music

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