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. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  2. That must've been a ________________.
  3. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  4. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  5. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  6. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  7. Did you ________________ the meat?
  8. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  9. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  10. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  11. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  12. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  13. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  14. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  15. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  16. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  17. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  18. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  19. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  20. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  21. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  22. This piece is in a major ________________.
  23. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  24. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.

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

Answer key

  1. key — for a lock
  2. rush — a thrill
  3. rush — to hurry
  4. pit — a fruit stone
  5. fan — a supporter
  6. bank — for money
  7. season — to add flavour
  8. season — in sport
  9. pit — in a race
  10. lash — an eyelash
  11. stick — a piece of wood
  12. rush — hurry
  13. key — the most important part
  14. lash — to lash out
  15. fan — a supporter
  16. season — of the year
  17. lash — a whip stroke
  18. stick — a piece of wood
  19. pit — a hole
  20. fan — to cool the air
  21. bank — of a river
  22. key — in music
  23. bank — for money
  24. stick — to attach or keep to

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