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 got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  2. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  3. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  4. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  5. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  6. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  7. The elephant has a huge ________________.
  8. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  9. You don't need to ________________ round.
  10. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  11. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  12. The tree's ________________ was scarred by lightning strikes.
  13. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  14. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  15. I've got the luggage in my ________________.
  16. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  17. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  18. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  19. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  20. We're almost out of ________________.
  21. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  22. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  23. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  24. Michael Jackson and Prince changed the history of ________________ music.

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

Answer key

  1. fine — a penalty
  2. firm — decided
  3. toast — bread
  4. rock — music
  5. rock — to move gently
  6. fine — high quality
  7. trunk — of an elephant
  8. lie — an untruth
  9. pop — to visit
  10. wave — with your hand
  11. rock — a stone
  12. trunk — of a tree
  13. lie — an untruth
  14. firm — a company
  15. trunk — of a car
  16. fine — all right
  17. wave — a sudden rise
  18. lie — to recline
  19. firm — steady
  20. pop — soda
  21. toast — the most admired
  22. wave — of the sea
  23. toast — a drink to someone
  24. pop — 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