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: fine · wake · bass · pass · temple · leaves · charge · season

  1. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  2. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  3. Did you ________________ the meat?
  4. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  5. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  6. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  7. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  8. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  9. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  10. When was this ________________ built?
  11. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  12. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  13. I didn't ________________ up well this morning.
  14. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  15. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  16. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  17. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  18. The speedboat left a long ________________ behind it.
  19. Friends gathered at the ________________ to remember him.
  20. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  21. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  22. The tickets are free of ________________.
  23. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  24. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.

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

Answer key

  1. bass — the instrument
  2. temple — side of the head
  3. season — to add flavour
  4. fine — high quality
  5. bass — the fish
  6. fine — all right
  7. bass — low music
  8. charge — electricity
  9. season — in sport
  10. temple — a place of worship
  11. leaves — to go away
  12. charge — in control
  13. wake — to stop sleeping
  14. fine — a penalty
  15. pass — to spend time
  16. leaves — of a tree
  17. leaves — lets stay
  18. wake — a trail
  19. wake — before a funeral
  20. temple — a place of worship
  21. pass — a permit
  22. charge — a price
  23. season — of the year
  24. pass — to succeed

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