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. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  2. When will it ________________ you to start?
  3. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  4. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  5. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  6. The ________________ went through the wall.
  7. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  8. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  9. When was this ________________ built?
  10. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  11. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  12. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  13. My father caught me by the ________________.
  14. TikTok makes it very easy to create ________________.
  15. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  16. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  17. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  18. Buy me a box of chocolates and I'll be ________________.
  19. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  20. Check the label for the sugar ________________.
  21. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  22. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  23. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  24. I can't ________________ this cold.

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

Answer key

  1. cue — a signal
  2. suit — to fit
  3. temple — side of the head
  4. nail — for a hammer
  5. rock — a stone
  6. nail — for a hammer
  7. temple — a place of worship
  8. rock — music
  9. temple — a place of worship
  10. stand — on your feet
  11. nail — on a finger
  12. cue — for pool
  13. arm — part of the body
  14. content — videos and posts
  15. arm — part of the body
  16. stand — for spectators
  17. suit — clothes
  18. content — happy
  19. arm — a part of something
  20. content — the amount
  21. suit — in cards
  22. rock — to move gently
  23. cue — a hint
  24. stand — to bear

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