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. When will it ________________ you to start?
  2. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  3. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  4. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  5. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  6. He is as ________________ as a wolf.
  7. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  8. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  9. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  10. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  11. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  12. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  13. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  14. Later, his shop becomes a ________________ with young dancers.
  15. My rich neighbors belong to a private golf ________________.
  16. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  17. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  18. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  19. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  20. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  21. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  22. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  23. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  24. I belonged to the harmonica ________________ in my high school days.

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

Answer key

  1. suit — to fit
  2. track — a song
  3. perch — for a bird
  4. track — to keep track
  5. suit — clothes
  6. lean — thin
  7. fan — to cool the air
  8. fan — a supporter
  9. jam — to spread on bread
  10. lean — to bend
  11. lash — an eyelash
  12. perch — for a bird
  13. fan — a supporter
  14. club — for dancing
  15. club — for golf
  16. lash — to lash out
  17. track — a path
  18. suit — in cards
  19. perch — the fish
  20. jam — a tight spot
  21. jam — in traffic
  22. lash — a whip stroke
  23. lean — to rest against
  24. club — a group

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