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: tube · firm · wave · ball · toast · leaves · can · prune

  1. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  2. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  3. I'll be taking the ________________.
  4. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  5. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  6. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  7. Do not ________________ roses in the fall.
  8. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  9. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  10. The King held a masked ________________.
  11. A ________________ is just a dried plum.
  12. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  13. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  14. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  15. I cannot ________________ this tree. It's too high.
  16. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  17. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  18. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  19. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  20. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  21. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  22. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  23. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  24. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.

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

Answer key

  1. firm — a company
  2. wave — with your hand
  3. tube — the underground
  4. ball — a great time
  5. tube — in a tire
  6. leaves — to go away
  7. prune — to trim
  8. can — a tin
  9. toast — the most admired
  10. ball — a dance
  11. prune — the fruit
  12. firm — steady
  13. leaves — of a tree
  14. wave — of the sea
  15. prune — to trim
  16. ball — a round shape
  17. wave — a sudden rise
  18. can — a tin
  19. toast — a drink to someone
  20. toast — bread
  21. can — to be able to
  22. tube — a container
  23. firm — decided
  24. leaves — lets stay

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