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: mug · leaves · stick · scale · staff · ball · current · chip

  1. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  2. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  3. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  4. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  5. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  6. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  7. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  8. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  9. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  10. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  11. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  12. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  13. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  14. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  15. The King held a masked ________________.
  16. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  17. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  18. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  19. Where did you ________________ them?
  20. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  21. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  22. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  23. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  24. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. chip — for betting
  2. leaves — of a tree
  3. staff — a stick
  4. leaves — to go away
  5. scale — in music
  6. current — of water
  7. stick — a piece of wood
  8. stick — a piece of wood
  9. chip — in a computer
  10. staff — employees
  11. stick — to attach or keep to
  12. ball — a great time
  13. chip — to eat
  14. current — happening now
  15. ball — a dance
  16. ball — a round shape
  17. mug — a cup
  18. staff — employees
  19. mug — to rob
  20. current — electric
  21. scale — for weighing
  22. mug — a face
  23. leaves — lets stay
  24. scale — size or range

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