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. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  2. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  3. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  4. In the ________________, covers are put over the fans in trains.
  5. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  6. He is an ace ________________.
  7. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  8. I didn't ________________ up well this morning.
  9. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  10. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  11. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  12. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  13. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  14. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  15. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  16. Friends gathered at the ________________ to remember him.
  17. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  18. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  19. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  20. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  21. He who climbs up, will ________________ down.
  22. Where did you ________________ them?
  23. The speedboat left a long ________________ behind it.
  24. My stomach aches so much that I can't ________________ asleep.

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

Answer key

  1. mug — a face
  2. object — to protest
  3. racket — for tennis
  4. fall — the season
  5. toast — bread
  6. pitcher — in baseball
  7. racket — for tennis
  8. wake — to stop sleeping
  9. toast — a drink to someone
  10. safe — out of danger
  11. safe — a strongbox
  12. object — a thing
  13. racket — a loud noise
  14. pitcher — a jug
  15. pitcher — a jug
  16. wake — before a funeral
  17. toast — the most admired
  18. object — an aim
  19. mug — a cup
  20. safe — out of danger
  21. fall — to drop
  22. mug — to rob
  23. wake — a trail
  24. fall — to drop

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