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: rest · stick · spring · charge · mug · ball · jam · pass

  1. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  2. The King held a masked ________________.
  3. Because of the accident, he'll have a limp for the ________________ of his life.
  4. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  5. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  6. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  7. The hotel is built around a mineral ________________.
  8. The ________________ of the members were all out of tune.
  9. The tickets are free of ________________.
  10. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  11. I would like to have a ________________ here.
  12. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  13. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  14. There's a broken ________________ in the bed.
  15. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  16. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  17. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  18. The flowers bloom in the ________________.
  19. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  20. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  21. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  22. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  23. Where did you ________________ them?
  24. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.

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

Answer key

  1. stick — to attach or keep to
  2. ball — a dance
  3. rest — what's left
  4. ball — a great time
  5. stick — a piece of wood
  6. ball — a round shape
  7. spring — of water
  8. rest — what's left
  9. charge — a price
  10. mug — a cup
  11. rest — a break
  12. pass — to spend time
  13. charge — in control
  14. spring — a coil
  15. jam — to spread on bread
  16. jam — a tight spot
  17. pass — a permit
  18. spring — the season
  19. stick — a piece of wood
  20. charge — electricity
  21. pass — to succeed
  22. jam — in traffic
  23. mug — to rob
  24. mug — a face

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