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: pop · stick · charge · spring · jam · bass · toast · foot

  1. The hotel is built around a mineral ________________.
  2. There's a broken ________________ in the bed.
  3. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  4. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  5. The flowers bloom in the ________________.
  6. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  7. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  8. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  9. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  10. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  11. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  12. The tickets are free of ________________.
  13. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  14. We're almost out of ________________.
  15. Michael Jackson and Prince changed the history of ________________ music.
  16. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  17. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  18. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  19. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  20. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  21. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  22. You don't need to ________________ round.
  23. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  24. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.

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

Answer key

  1. spring — of water
  2. spring — a coil
  3. jam — to spread on bread
  4. jam — a tight spot
  5. spring — the season
  6. foot — part of the body
  7. jam — in traffic
  8. toast — a drink to someone
  9. toast — bread
  10. stick — to attach or keep to
  11. bass — low music
  12. charge — a price
  13. stick — a piece of wood
  14. pop — soda
  15. pop — music
  16. charge — in control
  17. toast — the most admired
  18. charge — electricity
  19. bass — the fish
  20. foot — the bottom
  21. bass — the instrument
  22. pop — to visit
  23. stick — a piece of wood
  24. foot — a measure

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