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 from the word bank in each sentence. Each word is used more than once, with a different meaning each time.

Word bank: can · bass · deal · pop · temple · lash · rush · patient

  1. Michael Jackson and Prince changed the history of ________________ music.
  2. You don't need to ________________ round.
  3. The ________________ was transferred to the cardiology ward.
  4. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  5. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  6. That must've been a ________________.
  7. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  8. The farmer was ________________ with the unruly horse.
  9. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  10. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  11. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  12. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  13. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  14. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  15. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  16. When was this ________________ built?
  17. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  18. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  19. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  20. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  21. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  22. The nurse administered an injection to the ________________.
  23. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  24. We're almost out of ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. pop — music
  2. pop — to visit
  3. patient — a sick person
  4. can — a tin
  5. temple — side of the head
  6. rush — a thrill
  7. can — a tin
  8. patient — calm and waiting
  9. bass — low music
  10. deal — to handle
  11. lash — an eyelash
  12. bass — the instrument
  13. lash — a whip stroke
  14. rush — to hurry
  15. deal — an agreement
  16. temple — a place of worship
  17. can — to be able to
  18. bass — the fish
  19. temple — a place of worship
  20. lash — to lash out
  21. deal — a big deal
  22. patient — a sick person
  23. rush — hurry
  24. pop — soda

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