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 coach helped Matthew straighten out his golf ________________, improving his game.
  2. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  3. He hasn't even shaken my ________________.
  4. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  5. I got dealt a bad ________________.
  6. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  7. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  8. Do you need a ________________ with that?
  9. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  10. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  11. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  12. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  13. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  14. What do you think of the new ________________?
  15. I'd like to play a game of ________________.
  16. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  17. Cut the butternut ________________ into one-inch cubes.
  18. David sat on the ________________.
  19. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  20. The president vowed to ________________ the mutiny.
  21. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  22. In jazz, ________________ was gradually being replaced by bebop.
  23. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  24. I assure you, everything's ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. swing — in golf
  2. bass — low music
  3. hand — part of the body
  4. cue — a signal
  5. hand — in cards
  6. cabinet — ministers
  7. chip — to eat
  8. hand — help
  9. cabinet — a cupboard
  10. fine — high quality
  11. fine — a penalty
  12. chip — in a computer
  13. bass — the instrument
  14. cabinet — ministers
  15. squash — the sport
  16. cue — for pool
  17. squash — the vegetable
  18. swing — to play on
  19. cue — a hint
  20. squash — to crush
  21. bass — the fish
  22. swing — music
  23. chip — for betting
  24. fine — all right

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