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: stick · suit · court · rock · mark · season · staff · current

  1. The ________________ found him guilty of stealing money.
  2. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  3. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  4. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  5. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  6. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  7. When a clown is made king, the ________________ becomes a circus.
  8. The ball is in your ________________.
  9. Did you ________________ the meat?
  10. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  11. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  12. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  13. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  14. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  15. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  16. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  17. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  18. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  19. When will it ________________ you to start?
  20. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  21. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  22. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  23. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  24. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.

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

Answer key

  1. court — of law
  2. mark — to pay attention
  3. stick — to attach or keep to
  4. season — in sport
  5. stick — a piece of wood
  6. mark — a trace
  7. court — of a king
  8. court — for sport
  9. season — to add flavour
  10. suit — clothes
  11. staff — a stick
  12. staff — employees
  13. current — of water
  14. rock — music
  15. mark — a grade
  16. staff — employees
  17. stick — a piece of wood
  18. rock — to move gently
  19. suit — to fit
  20. suit — in cards
  21. season — of the year
  22. current — electric
  23. rock — a stone
  24. current — happening now

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