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 · rule · foot · wound · tube · suit · pit · key

  1. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  2. It's not a deep ________________. It's just a scratch.
  3. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  4. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  5. I'll be taking the ________________.
  6. We ________________ up on opposing sides.
  7. This looks like a gunshot ________________.
  8. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  9. This piece is in a major ________________.
  10. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  11. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  12. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  13. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  14. The chairman did not ________________ out the possibility of a disagreement.
  15. Will civil ________________ and democracy continue in Algeria?
  16. Remember our ________________: no talking to strangers, no matter what.
  17. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  18. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  19. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  20. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  21. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  22. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  23. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  24. When will it ________________ you to start?

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

Answer key

  1. jam — a tight spot
  2. wound — an injury
  3. pit — a hole
  4. tube — a container
  5. tube — the underground
  6. wound — past of 'wind'
  7. wound — an injury
  8. suit — clothes
  9. key — in music
  10. foot — a measure
  11. pit — a fruit stone
  12. jam — to spread on bread
  13. foot — part of the body
  14. rule — to rule out
  15. rule — government
  16. rule — a law
  17. pit — in a race
  18. key — for a lock
  19. tube — in a tire
  20. key — the most important part
  21. jam — in traffic
  22. foot — the bottom
  23. suit — in cards
  24. suit — to fit

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