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. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  2. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  3. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  4. Have you met the new head ________________?
  5. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  6. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  7. That must've been a ________________.
  8. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  9. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  10. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  11. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  12. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  13. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  14. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  15. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  16. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  17. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  18. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  19. I'll be taking the ________________.
  20. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  21. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  22. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  23. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  24. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.

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

Answer key

  1. mark — a trace
  2. rush — hurry
  3. lie — an untruth
  4. coach — a trainer
  5. bank — for money
  6. bank — of a river
  7. rush — a thrill
  8. chip — to eat
  9. coach — pulled by horses
  10. lie — an untruth
  11. mark — to pay attention
  12. mark — a grade
  13. chip — in a computer
  14. lie — to recline
  15. tube — a container
  16. fine — a penalty
  17. rush — to hurry
  18. chip — for betting
  19. tube — the underground
  20. tube — in a tire
  21. fine — high quality
  22. fine — all right
  23. bank — for money
  24. coach — a trainer

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