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. We came to a ________________ in the road and had no idea which direction to go.
  2. Did you ________________ the meat?
  3. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  4. Use a garden ________________ to turn the soil.
  5. I would like to have a ________________ here.
  6. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  7. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  8. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  9. He's the lead singer in a rock ________________.
  10. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  11. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  12. What do you think of the new ________________?
  13. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  14. Because of the accident, he'll have a limp for the ________________ of his life.
  15. We usually eat with a knife, ________________ and spoon.
  16. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  17. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  18. He still wears his gold wedding ________________.
  19. The ________________ of the members were all out of tune.
  20. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  21. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  22. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  23. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  24. He put a rubber ________________ around the bundle of letters.

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

Answer key

  1. fork — in a road
  2. season — to add flavour
  3. jam — to spread on bread
  4. fork — a garden tool
  5. rest — a break
  6. current — happening now
  7. cabinet — a cupboard
  8. season — in sport
  9. band — a music group
  10. current — of water
  11. current — electric
  12. cabinet — ministers
  13. jam — in traffic
  14. rest — what's left
  15. fork — to eat with
  16. jam — a tight spot
  17. toast — the most admired
  18. band — a ring
  19. rest — what's left
  20. toast — a drink to someone
  21. season — of the year
  22. cabinet — ministers
  23. toast — bread
  24. band — a rubber band

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