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: track · cabinet · pass · can · nail · mug · rash · prune

  1. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  2. The ________________ went through the wall.
  3. What do you think of the new ________________?
  4. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  5. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  6. Where did you ________________ them?
  7. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  8. I cannot ________________ this tree. It's too high.
  9. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  10. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  11. A ________________ is just a dried plum.
  12. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  13. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  14. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  15. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  16. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  17. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  18. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  19. Don't do anything ________________.
  20. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  21. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  22. Do not ________________ roses in the fall.
  23. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  24. Recycle the empty soda ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. rash — on the skin
  2. nail — for a hammer
  3. cabinet — ministers
  4. track — to keep track
  5. cabinet — a cupboard
  6. mug — to rob
  7. cabinet — ministers
  8. prune — to trim
  9. can — to be able to
  10. pass — to spend time
  11. prune — the fruit
  12. can — a tin
  13. track — a song
  14. pass — a permit
  15. pass — to succeed
  16. rash — a series
  17. nail — on a finger
  18. mug — a cup
  19. rash — hasty
  20. track — a path
  21. nail — for a hammer
  22. prune — to trim
  23. mug — a face
  24. can — a tin

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