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. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  2. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  3. At ________________, we arrived at the village.
  4. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  5. Michael Jackson and Prince changed the history of ________________ music.
  6. The dagger's metal was presumably from the same meteor ________________.
  7. We're almost out of ________________.
  8. False peace will not ________________.
  9. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  10. He's taking a ________________ right now.
  11. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  12. The tickets are free of ________________.
  13. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  14. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  15. We took cover from the thunder ________________.
  16. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  17. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  18. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  19. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  20. Today is the ________________ day of the holidays. Back to school tomorrow!
  21. My mare is ________________ in color.
  22. You don't need to ________________ round.
  23. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  24. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.

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

Answer key

  1. bay — to keep at bay
  2. mouse — the animal
  3. last — finally
  4. mark — a trace
  5. pop — music
  6. shower — a meteor shower
  7. pop — soda
  8. last — to go on
  9. bay — a part of the sea
  10. shower — to wash
  11. rock — music
  12. charge — a price
  13. mouse — the animal
  14. mouse — for a computer
  15. shower — rain
  16. rock — a stone
  17. charge — electricity
  18. mark — a grade
  19. rock — to move gently
  20. last — final
  21. bay — a horse colour
  22. pop — to visit
  23. charge — in control
  24. mark — to pay attention

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