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: track · key · toast · mug · chip · mark · pitcher · ball

  1. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  2. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  3. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  4. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  5. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  6. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  7. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  8. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  9. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  10. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  11. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  12. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  13. The King held a masked ________________.
  14. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  15. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  16. Where did you ________________ them?
  17. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  18. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  19. This piece is in a major ________________.
  20. He is an ace ________________.
  21. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  22. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  23. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  24. She got the top ________________ in the exam.

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

Answer key

  1. track — a song
  2. mug — a cup
  3. track — a path
  4. mark — to pay attention
  5. ball — a great time
  6. key — for a lock
  7. mark — a trace
  8. mug — a face
  9. toast — a drink to someone
  10. key — the most important part
  11. ball — a round shape
  12. pitcher — a jug
  13. ball — a dance
  14. toast — the most admired
  15. chip — in a computer
  16. mug — to rob
  17. chip — for betting
  18. pitcher — a jug
  19. key — in music
  20. pitcher — in baseball
  21. track — to keep track
  22. toast — bread
  23. chip — to eat
  24. mark — a grade

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