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: jam · date · perch · suit · toast · fine · race · cabinet

  1. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  2. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  3. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  4. Winning one ________________ isn't the same as dominating a sport.
  5. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  6. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  7. Have you settled on a ________________?
  8. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  9. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  10. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  11. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  12. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  13. A ________________ is a sweet brown fruit from a palm tree.
  14. Atomic bombs are a danger to the human ________________.
  15. What do you think of the new ________________?
  16. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  17. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  18. When will it ________________ you to start?
  19. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  20. Only by prohibiting all nuclear weapons, we can together stop the arms ________________.
  21. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  22. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  23. Why do cosmetics have an expiration ________________?
  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. perch — the fish
  2. jam — to spread on bread
  3. toast — a drink to someone
  4. race — a contest
  5. jam — in traffic
  6. perch — for a bird
  7. date — on the calendar
  8. cabinet — a cupboard
  9. toast — the most admired
  10. jam — a tight spot
  11. perch — for a bird
  12. fine — all right
  13. date — the fruit
  14. race — humankind
  15. cabinet — ministers
  16. fine — high quality
  17. toast — bread
  18. suit — to fit
  19. fine — a penalty
  20. race — the arms race
  21. cabinet — ministers
  22. suit — clothes
  23. date — on the calendar
  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