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. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  2. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  3. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  4. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  5. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  6. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  7. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  8. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  9. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  10. Have you found your soul ________________?
  11. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  12. What do you think of the new ________________?
  13. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  14. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  15. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  16. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  17. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  18. That must've been a ________________.
  19. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  20. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  21. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  22. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  23. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  24. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.

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

Answer key

  1. pass — to succeed
  2. cue — a signal
  3. rush — to hurry
  4. safe — out of danger
  5. safe — out of danger
  6. mate — to breed
  7. pass — a permit
  8. perch — for a bird
  9. can — a tin
  10. mate — a partner
  11. rush — hurry
  12. cabinet — ministers
  13. cabinet — ministers
  14. can — to be able to
  15. perch — for a bird
  16. perch — the fish
  17. cue — a hint
  18. rush — a thrill
  19. safe — a strongbox
  20. cabinet — a cupboard
  21. mate — a friend
  22. can — a tin
  23. cue — for pool
  24. pass — to spend time

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