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 120 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. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  2. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  3. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  4. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  5. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  6. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  7. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  8. When will it ________________ you to start?
  9. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  10. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  11. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  12. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  13. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  14. Did you ________________ the meat?
  15. Have you found your soul ________________?
  16. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  17. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  18. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  19. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  20. I'll be taking the ________________.
  21. This piece is in a major ________________.
  22. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  23. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  24. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.

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

Answer key

  1. mate — a friend
  2. rock — to move gently
  3. rock — a stone
  4. key — for a lock
  5. tube — in a tire
  6. mate — to breed
  7. rock — music
  8. suit — to fit
  9. root — of a word
  10. season — in sport
  11. foot — the bottom
  12. suit — in cards
  13. key — the most important part
  14. season — to add flavour
  15. mate — a partner
  16. season — of the year
  17. foot — part of the body
  18. tube — a container
  19. root — the cause
  20. tube — the underground
  21. key — in music
  22. root — of a plant
  23. suit — clothes
  24. foot — a measure

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