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: bass · pitch · jam · can · track · wave · staff · squash

  1. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  2. Cut the butternut ________________ into one-inch cubes.
  3. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  4. The players ran onto the football ________________.
  5. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  6. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  7. The room was ________________ black, so I couldn't see a thing.
  8. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  9. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  10. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  11. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  12. The president vowed to ________________ the mutiny.
  13. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  14. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  15. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  16. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  17. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  18. She's preparing to ________________ her idea to the investors.
  19. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  20. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  21. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  22. I'd like to play a game of ________________.
  23. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  24. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.

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

Answer key

  1. wave — with your hand
  2. squash — the vegetable
  3. track — to keep track
  4. pitch — a sports field
  5. can — to be able to
  6. track — a path
  7. pitch — completely
  8. wave — a sudden rise
  9. can — a tin
  10. can — a tin
  11. bass — the instrument
  12. squash — to crush
  13. staff — employees
  14. staff — employees
  15. jam — a tight spot
  16. jam — in traffic
  17. wave — of the sea
  18. pitch — a sales talk
  19. staff — a stick
  20. jam — to spread on bread
  21. bass — the fish
  22. squash — the sport
  23. track — a song
  24. bass — low music

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