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. Rodrigo's family went to the dog ________________ to adopt a dog.
  2. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  3. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  4. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  5. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  6. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  7. You don't need to ________________ round.
  8. Jeff had to ________________ the pavement for three months before he found a job.
  9. Later, his shop becomes a ________________ with young dancers.
  10. My rich neighbors belong to a private golf ________________.
  11. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  12. I can't ________________ this cold.
  13. We're almost out of ________________.
  14. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  15. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  16. Michael Jackson and Prince changed the history of ________________ music.
  17. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  18. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  19. I belonged to the harmonica ________________ in my high school days.
  20. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  21. A ________________ is equal to sixteen ounces.
  22. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  23. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  24. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.

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

Answer key

  1. pound — for dogs
  2. jam — a tight spot
  3. stand — on your feet
  4. jam — to spread on bread
  5. jam — in traffic
  6. toast — a drink to someone
  7. pop — to visit
  8. pound — to hit hard
  9. club — for dancing
  10. club — for golf
  11. fine — high quality
  12. stand — to bear
  13. pop — soda
  14. lash — a whip stroke
  15. lash — to lash out
  16. pop — music
  17. toast — the most admired
  18. stand — for spectators
  19. club — a group
  20. fine — all right
  21. pound — a weight
  22. toast — bread
  23. lash — an eyelash
  24. fine — a penalty

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