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: firm · can · capital · craft · lash · pass · bound · pop

  1. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  2. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  3. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  4. A second agreement was made due to the large amount of available ________________.
  5. We're almost out of ________________.
  6. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  7. That was ________________ to happen.
  8. He spent years learning his ________________ as a carpenter.
  9. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  10. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  11. Michael Jackson and Prince changed the history of ________________ music.
  12. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  13. You don't need to ________________ round.
  14. Beijing is the ________________ of China.
  15. The beginning of a sentence starts with a ________________ letter.
  16. Flower arranging is a traditional ________________ in Japan.
  17. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  18. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  19. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  20. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  21. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  22. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  23. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  24. Small ________________ should stay in the harbor during the storm.

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

Answer key

  1. pass — to spend time
  2. bound — tied together
  3. firm — steady
  4. capital — money
  5. pop — soda
  6. firm — a company
  7. bound — certain
  8. craft — a skill
  9. can — a tin
  10. bound — obliged
  11. pop — music
  12. pass — to succeed
  13. pop — to visit
  14. capital — a city
  15. capital — a big letter
  16. craft — a handicraft
  17. firm — decided
  18. lash — to lash out
  19. lash — a whip stroke
  20. can — a tin
  21. can — to be able to
  22. pass — a permit
  23. lash — an eyelash
  24. craft — boats

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