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. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  2. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  3. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  4. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  5. When was this ________________ built?
  6. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  7. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  8. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  9. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  10. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  11. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  12. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  13. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  14. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  15. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  16. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  17. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  18. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  19. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  20. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  21. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  22. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  23. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  24. My father caught me by the ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. staff — employees
  2. bank — for money
  3. temple — a place of worship
  4. staff — a stick
  5. temple — a place of worship
  6. scale — size or range
  7. pit — a hole
  8. scale — for weighing
  9. bowl — to roll
  10. staff — employees
  11. scale — in music
  12. pit — a fruit stone
  13. arm — part of the body
  14. bank — of a river
  15. bowl — a football final
  16. can — to be able to
  17. pit — in a race
  18. can — a tin
  19. can — a tin
  20. bowl — a dish
  21. arm — a part of something
  22. bank — for money
  23. temple — side of the head
  24. arm — part of the body

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