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: spell · present · tube · ball · season · mug · bank · mark

  1. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  2. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  3. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  4. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  5. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  6. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  7. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  8. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  9. Did you get a birthday ________________ for him this year?
  10. Where did you ________________ them?
  11. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  12. How do you ________________ your surname?
  13. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  14. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  15. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  16. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  17. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  18. Did you ________________ the meat?
  19. Actually, the ________________ method has plenty of room for improvement.
  20. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  21. I'll be taking the ________________.
  22. My partner was ________________ at the birth of our baby.
  23. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  24. The King held a masked ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. spell — a short time
  2. season — in sport
  3. mark — a trace
  4. bank — for money
  5. bank — of a river
  6. tube — a container
  7. bank — for money
  8. tube — in a tire
  9. present — a gift
  10. mug — to rob
  11. spell — magic
  12. spell — letters
  13. ball — a round shape
  14. mark — to pay attention
  15. mug — a cup
  16. ball — a great time
  17. mark — a grade
  18. season — to add flavour
  19. present — the time now
  20. season — of the year
  21. tube — the underground
  22. present — there
  23. mug — a face
  24. ball — a dance

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