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. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  2. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  3. When a clown is made king, the ________________ becomes a circus.
  4. What do you think of the new ________________?
  5. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  6. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  7. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  8. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  9. That must've been a ________________.
  10. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  11. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  12. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  13. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  14. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  15. Don't do anything ________________.
  16. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  17. The ________________ found him guilty of stealing money.
  18. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  19. The ball is in your ________________.
  20. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  21. The ________________ took off on time.
  22. When will it ________________ you to start?
  23. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  24. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.

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

Answer key

  1. suit — clothes
  2. plane — in geometry
  3. court — of a king
  4. cabinet — ministers
  5. cabinet — a cupboard
  6. mouse — the animal
  7. suit — in cards
  8. cabinet — ministers
  9. rush — a thrill
  10. rush — hurry
  11. root — the cause
  12. rash — on the skin
  13. plane — a tool
  14. root — of a word
  15. rash — hasty
  16. rush — to hurry
  17. court — of law
  18. mouse — for a computer
  19. court — for sport
  20. mouse — the animal
  21. plane — an aircraft
  22. suit — to fit
  23. root — of a plant
  24. rash — a series

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