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 116 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. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  2. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  3. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  4. He hasn't even shaken my ________________.
  5. The ________________ took off on time.
  6. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  7. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  8. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  9. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  10. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  11. I got dealt a bad ________________.
  12. When I ________________ my fingers, you'll wake up.
  13. The ________________ went through the wall.
  14. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  15. ________________ out of it! You haven't done a thing all week.
  16. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  17. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  18. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  19. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  20. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  21. You don't have to ________________ at me like that.
  22. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  23. Do you need a ________________ with that?
  24. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.

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

Answer key

  1. can — to be able to
  2. mark — a grade
  3. cue — a hint
  4. hand — part of the body
  5. plane — an aircraft
  6. scale — size or range
  7. mark — a trace
  8. plane — a tool
  9. scale — for weighing
  10. plane — in geometry
  11. hand — in cards
  12. snap — to click
  13. nail — for a hammer
  14. mark — to pay attention
  15. snap — to snap out of it
  16. cue — for pool
  17. scale — in music
  18. nail — for a hammer
  19. can — a tin
  20. can — a tin
  21. snap — to speak sharply
  22. cue — a signal
  23. hand — help
  24. nail — on a finger

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