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 am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  2. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  3. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  4. At ________________, we arrived at the village.
  5. She's very handy with a ________________.
  6. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  7. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  8. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  9. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  10. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  11. He works in a ________________ mill.
  12. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  13. Did you ________________ the meat?
  14. Our bedroom windows ________________ the sea.
  15. False peace will not ________________.
  16. Sooner or later you'll have to ________________ the truth.
  17. She had a strange look on her ________________.
  18. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  19. Today is the ________________ day of the holidays. Back to school tomorrow!
  20. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  21. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  22. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  23. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  24. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.

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

Answer key

  1. wave — a sudden rise
  2. rock — a stone
  3. season — of the year
  4. last — finally
  5. saw — the tool
  6. saw — past of 'see'
  7. stick — a piece of wood
  8. toast — the most admired
  9. stick — a piece of wood
  10. toast — a drink to someone
  11. saw — the tool
  12. season — in sport
  13. season — to add flavour
  14. face — to point toward
  15. last — to go on
  16. face — to confront
  17. face — part of the head
  18. rock — music
  19. last — final
  20. rock — to move gently
  21. wave — of the sea
  22. stick — to attach or keep to
  23. wave — with your hand
  24. toast — bread

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