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. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  2. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  3. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  4. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  5. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  6. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  7. The tickets are free of ________________.
  8. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  9. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  10. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  11. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  12. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  13. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  14. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  15. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  16. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  17. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  18. This piece is in a major ________________.
  19. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  20. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  21. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  22. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  23. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  24. You can't go backstage without a ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. deal — a big deal
  2. toast — the most admired
  3. leaves — to go away
  4. toast — bread
  5. bank — of a river
  6. toast — a drink to someone
  7. charge — a price
  8. calf — a young animal
  9. key — for a lock
  10. leaves — of a tree
  11. bank — for money
  12. leaves — lets stay
  13. key — the most important part
  14. pass — to succeed
  15. charge — electricity
  16. calf — a young animal
  17. charge — in control
  18. key — in music
  19. bank — for money
  20. calf — of the leg
  21. deal — to handle
  22. pass — to spend time
  23. deal — an agreement
  24. pass — a permit

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