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. I'll be taking the ________________.
  2. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  3. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  4. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  5. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  6. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  7. The ball hit the back of the ________________.
  8. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  9. He took the fish out of the ________________.
  10. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  11. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  12. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  13. When will it ________________ you to start?
  14. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  15. What was your ________________ profit last year?
  16. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  17. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  18. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  19. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  20. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  21. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  22. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  23. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  24. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.

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

Answer key

  1. tube — the underground
  2. suit — in cards
  3. toast — bread
  4. jam — in traffic
  5. leaves — of a tree
  6. tube — a container
  7. net — in sport
  8. current — of water
  9. net — for catching
  10. stick — to attach or keep to
  11. current — electric
  12. jam — a tight spot
  13. suit — to fit
  14. jam — to spread on bread
  15. net — after costs
  16. toast — the most admired
  17. leaves — to go away
  18. leaves — lets stay
  19. stick — a piece of wood
  20. tube — in a tire
  21. stick — a piece of wood
  22. toast — a drink to someone
  23. suit — clothes
  24. current — happening now

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