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 120 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: sharp · rush · lean · suit · chip · cue · wound · can

  1. When will it ________________ you to start?
  2. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  3. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  4. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  5. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  6. He is as ________________ as a wolf.
  7. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  8. That must've been a ________________.
  9. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  10. We ________________ up on opposing sides.
  11. It's not a deep ________________. It's just a scratch.
  12. He's quite ________________, isn't he?
  13. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  14. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  15. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  16. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  17. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  18. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  19. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  20. It's one o'clock ________________.
  21. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  22. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  23. This looks like a gunshot ________________.
  24. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. suit — to fit
  2. sharp — with an edge
  3. chip — in a computer
  4. cue — a hint
  5. chip — to eat
  6. lean — thin
  7. lean — to bend
  8. rush — a thrill
  9. lean — to rest against
  10. wound — past of 'wind'
  11. wound — an injury
  12. sharp — clever
  13. cue — for pool
  14. can — to be able to
  15. rush — to hurry
  16. rush — hurry
  17. chip — for betting
  18. can — a tin
  19. suit — clothes
  20. sharp — exactly
  21. cue — a signal
  22. can — a tin
  23. wound — an injury
  24. suit — in cards

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