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. How do you ________________ your surname?
  3. The polar ice ________________ is melting.
  4. We're on a ________________ here.
  5. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  6. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  7. It's best to wear a ________________ on your head during the cold Moscow winters.
  8. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  9. That must've been a ________________.
  10. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  11. Can you put the ________________ back on the pen?
  12. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  13. The teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.
  14. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  15. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  16. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  17. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  18. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  19. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  20. When will it ________________ you to start?
  21. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  22. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  23. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.
  24. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. suit — clothes
  2. spell — letters
  3. cap — of ice
  4. roll — on a roll
  5. stick — to attach or keep to
  6. jam — a tight spot
  7. cap — a hat
  8. deal — to handle
  9. rush — a thrill
  10. jam — in traffic
  11. cap — a lid
  12. rush — hurry
  13. roll — a list
  14. deal — a big deal
  15. suit — in cards
  16. deal — an agreement
  17. spell — magic
  18. stick — a piece of wood
  19. jam — to spread on bread
  20. suit — to fit
  21. spell — a short time
  22. rush — to hurry
  23. roll — a cake
  24. stick — a piece of wood

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