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. The hotel is built around a mineral ________________.
  2. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  3. Where did you ________________ them?
  4. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  5. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  6. The flowers bloom in the ________________.
  7. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  8. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  9. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  10. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  11. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  12. The ________________ found him guilty of stealing money.
  13. The King held a masked ________________.
  14. When a clown is made king, the ________________ becomes a circus.
  15. The ball is in your ________________.
  16. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  17. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  18. There's a broken ________________ in the bed.
  19. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  20. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  21. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  22. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  23. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  24. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. spring — of water
  2. stick — to attach or keep to
  3. mug — to rob
  4. foot — the bottom
  5. foot — part of the body
  6. spring — the season
  7. ball — a round shape
  8. mouse — the animal
  9. mug — a cup
  10. stick — a piece of wood
  11. can — to be able to
  12. court — of law
  13. ball — a dance
  14. court — of a king
  15. court — for sport
  16. foot — a measure
  17. can — a tin
  18. spring — a coil
  19. mouse — for a computer
  20. ball — a great time
  21. mug — a face
  22. mouse — the animal
  23. can — a tin
  24. stick — a piece of wood

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