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: roll · hide · lash · toast · bowl · patient · suit · jam

  1. The teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.
  2. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  3. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  4. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  5. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  6. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  7. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.
  8. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  9. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  10. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  11. The nurse administered an injection to the ________________.
  12. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  13. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  14. When will it ________________ you to start?
  15. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  16. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  17. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  18. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  19. We're on a ________________ here.
  20. The ________________ was transferred to the cardiology ward.
  21. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  22. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  23. The farmer was ________________ with the unruly horse.
  24. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.

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

Answer key

  1. roll — a list
  2. lash — an eyelash
  3. suit — in cards
  4. jam — a tight spot
  5. toast — bread
  6. hide — to keep secret
  7. roll — a cake
  8. bowl — to roll
  9. hide — to keep secret
  10. lash — a whip stroke
  11. patient — a sick person
  12. bowl — a football final
  13. jam — to spread on bread
  14. suit — to fit
  15. lash — to lash out
  16. suit — clothes
  17. hide — animal skin
  18. bowl — a dish
  19. roll — on a roll
  20. patient — a sick person
  21. toast — the most admired
  22. jam — in traffic
  23. patient — calm and waiting
  24. toast — a drink to someone

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