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: can · lean · suit · chip · kid · bear · bay · pitcher

  1. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  2. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  3. He is an ace ________________.
  4. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  5. Don't ________________ yourself. You couldn't afford to buy a house like this.
  6. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  7. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  8. He is as ________________ as a wolf.
  9. We've got to handle this with ________________ gloves.
  10. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  11. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  12. When will it ________________ you to start?
  13. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  14. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  15. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  16. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  17. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  18. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  19. I had chicken pox when I was a ________________.
  20. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  21. My mare is ________________ in color.
  22. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  23. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  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. bay — to keep at bay
  2. lean — to rest against
  3. pitcher — in baseball
  4. pitcher — a jug
  5. kid — to tease
  6. bear — to put up with
  7. bear — the animal
  8. lean — thin
  9. kid — young goat (kid gloves)
  10. chip — in a computer
  11. can — a tin
  12. suit — to fit
  13. suit — clothes
  14. bay — a part of the sea
  15. chip — to eat
  16. can — to be able to
  17. lean — to bend
  18. pitcher — a jug
  19. kid — child
  20. chip — for betting
  21. bay — a horse colour
  22. bear — the animal
  23. can — a tin
  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