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. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  2. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  3. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  4. We walked down the narrow path in single ________________.
  5. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  6. The information is stored in a ________________ on my computer.
  7. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  8. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  9. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  10. He rubbed the rust off with a ________________.
  11. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  12. This piece is in a major ________________.
  13. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  14. When will it ________________ you to start?
  15. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  16. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  17. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  18. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  19. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  20. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  21. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  22. Have you met the new head ________________?
  23. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  24. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.

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

Answer key

  1. key — the most important part
  2. suit — clothes
  3. leaves — of a tree
  4. file — a line of people
  5. lash — to lash out
  6. file — a document
  7. coach — a trainer
  8. coach — pulled by horses
  9. can — to be able to
  10. file — a tool
  11. jam — to spread on bread
  12. key — in music
  13. lash — an eyelash
  14. suit — to fit
  15. jam — a tight spot
  16. leaves — to go away
  17. can — a tin
  18. lash — a whip stroke
  19. jam — in traffic
  20. can — a tin
  21. key — for a lock
  22. coach — a trainer
  23. suit — in cards
  24. leaves — lets stay

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