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: fine · jam · mug · march · pass · temple · deal · straw

  1. The goat rested comfortably on a soft bed of ________________.
  2. When was this ________________ built?
  3. The band played a military ________________ at the parade.
  4. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  5. We will have lived in Kyoto for eight years next ________________.
  6. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  7. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  8. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  9. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  10. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  11. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  12. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  13. His birthday is in either ________________ or April.
  14. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  15. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  16. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  17. A drowning man will clutch at a ________________.
  18. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  19. It always has to be a ________________ man with them.
  20. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  21. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  22. Where did you ________________ them?
  23. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  24. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.

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

Answer key

  1. straw — dry grass
  2. temple — a place of worship
  3. march — music
  4. deal — an agreement
  5. march — the month
  6. jam — in traffic
  7. pass — to spend time
  8. jam — to spread on bread
  9. temple — side of the head
  10. fine — a penalty
  11. temple — a place of worship
  12. mug — a cup
  13. march — the month
  14. mug — a face
  15. fine — high quality
  16. jam — a tight spot
  17. straw — to clutch at straws
  18. pass — a permit
  19. straw — a straw man
  20. deal — a big deal
  21. fine — all right
  22. mug — to rob
  23. deal — to handle
  24. pass — to succeed

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