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: mark · rush · key · hide · bound · suit · pass · patient

  1. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  2. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  3. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  4. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  5. This piece is in a major ________________.
  6. The ________________ was transferred to the cardiology ward.
  7. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  8. When will it ________________ you to start?
  9. That was ________________ to happen.
  10. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  11. The farmer was ________________ with the unruly horse.
  12. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  13. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  14. That must've been a ________________.
  15. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  16. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  17. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  18. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  19. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  20. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  21. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  22. The nurse administered an injection to the ________________.
  23. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  24. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?

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

Answer key

  1. rush — hurry
  2. suit — clothes
  3. pass — a permit
  4. suit — in cards
  5. key — in music
  6. patient — a sick person
  7. bound — obliged
  8. suit — to fit
  9. bound — certain
  10. key — the most important part
  11. patient — calm and waiting
  12. bound — tied together
  13. mark — a grade
  14. rush — a thrill
  15. pass — to spend time
  16. mark — to pay attention
  17. hide — to keep secret
  18. rush — to hurry
  19. pass — to succeed
  20. key — for a lock
  21. mark — a trace
  22. patient — a sick person
  23. hide — animal skin
  24. hide — to keep secret

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