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. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  2. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  3. I get a ________________ out of her cheerful personality.
  4. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  5. The ________________ went through the wall.
  6. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  7. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  8. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  9. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  10. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  11. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  12. They were given a penalty ________________ just minutes from the end.
  13. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  14. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  15. It's one o'clock ________________.
  16. He's quite ________________, isn't he?
  17. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  18. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  19. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  20. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  21. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  22. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  23. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  24. One ________________ from a giraffe's hind leg is enough to kill a lion.

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

Answer key

  1. rock — music
  2. pass — to spend time
  3. kick — a thrill
  4. chip — in a computer
  5. nail — for a hammer
  6. nail — for a hammer
  7. fan — to cool the air
  8. pass — to succeed
  9. sharp — with an edge
  10. chip — to eat
  11. pass — a permit
  12. kick — in football
  13. rock — a stone
  14. nail — on a finger
  15. sharp — exactly
  16. sharp — clever
  17. fan — a supporter
  18. rock — to move gently
  19. bank — for money
  20. bank — of a river
  21. fan — a supporter
  22. chip — for betting
  23. bank — for money
  24. kick — with a leg

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