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 old man leaned on his ________________.
  2. Michael Jackson and Prince changed the history of ________________ music.
  3. When was this ________________ built?
  4. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  5. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  6. You don't need to ________________ round.
  7. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  8. We're almost out of ________________.
  9. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  10. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  11. The ________________ took off on time.
  12. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  13. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  14. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  15. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  16. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  17. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  18. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  19. The King held a masked ________________.
  20. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  21. Where did you ________________ them?
  22. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  23. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  24. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.

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

Answer key

  1. staff — a stick
  2. pop — music
  3. temple — a place of worship
  4. plane — in geometry
  5. temple — side of the head
  6. pop — to visit
  7. dip — to dunk
  8. pop — soda
  9. ball — a round shape
  10. ball — a great time
  11. plane — an aircraft
  12. bank — of a river
  13. staff — employees
  14. bank — for money
  15. mug — a cup
  16. dip — a sauce
  17. mug — a face
  18. bank — for money
  19. ball — a dance
  20. dip — to sink
  21. mug — to rob
  22. temple — a place of worship
  23. plane — a tool
  24. staff — employees

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