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. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  2. The supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.
  3. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  4. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  5. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  6. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  7. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  8. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  9. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  10. The ________________ market has crashed.
  11. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  12. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  13. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  14. What's the difference between broth and ________________?
  15. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  16. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  17. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  18. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  19. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  20. When was this ________________ built?
  21. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  22. Have you met the new head ________________?
  23. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  24. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.

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

Answer key

  1. fan — to cool the air
  2. stock — goods
  3. racket — a loud noise
  4. stick — a piece of wood
  5. coach — a trainer
  6. bass — the fish
  7. stick — to attach or keep to
  8. racket — for tennis
  9. stick — a piece of wood
  10. stock — shares
  11. toast — bread
  12. fan — a supporter
  13. temple — side of the head
  14. stock — a soup base
  15. coach — pulled by horses
  16. toast — a drink to someone
  17. bass — the instrument
  18. toast — the most admired
  19. fan — a supporter
  20. temple — a place of worship
  21. racket — for tennis
  22. coach — a trainer
  23. bass — low music
  24. temple — a place of worship

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