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. We're on a ________________ here.
  2. Flower arranging is a traditional ________________ in Japan.
  3. Atomic bombs are a danger to the human ________________.
  4. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.
  5. Only by prohibiting all nuclear weapons, we can together stop the arms ________________.
  6. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  7. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  8. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  9. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  10. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  11. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  12. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  13. Small ________________ should stay in the harbor during the storm.
  14. The teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.
  15. Winning one ________________ isn't the same as dominating a sport.
  16. He spent years learning his ________________ as a carpenter.
  17. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  18. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  19. Where did you ________________ them?
  20. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  21. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  22. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  23. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  24. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.

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

Answer key

  1. roll — on a roll
  2. craft — a handicraft
  3. race — humankind
  4. roll — a cake
  5. race — the arms race
  6. cue — a hint
  7. bass — the fish
  8. bass — low music
  9. leaves — of a tree
  10. cue — a signal
  11. mark — to pay attention
  12. mug — a face
  13. craft — boats
  14. roll — a list
  15. race — a contest
  16. craft — a skill
  17. bass — the instrument
  18. leaves — to go away
  19. mug — to rob
  20. mug — a cup
  21. mark — a grade
  22. leaves — lets stay
  23. cue — for pool
  24. mark — a trace

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