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: pit · mug · key · leaves · current · cue · arm · row

  1. The girl drawing a picture in the first ________________ is my niece.
  2. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  3. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  4. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  5. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  6. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  7. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  8. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  9. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  10. Where did you ________________ them?
  11. We had to ________________ the boat across the lake.
  12. My father caught me by the ________________.
  13. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  14. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  15. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  16. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  17. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  18. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  19. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  20. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  21. This piece is in a major ________________.
  22. I had a ________________ with my boss today.
  23. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  24. The ________________ change colour in autumn.

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

Answer key

  1. row — a line
  2. cue — a signal
  3. key — the most important part
  4. leaves — lets stay
  5. leaves — to go away
  6. cue — for pool
  7. current — of water
  8. pit — in a race
  9. arm — part of the body
  10. mug — to rob
  11. row — to paddle
  12. arm — part of the body
  13. mug — a cup
  14. pit — a hole
  15. current — happening now
  16. current — electric
  17. arm — a part of something
  18. mug — a face
  19. cue — a hint
  20. key — for a lock
  21. key — in music
  22. row — a quarrel
  23. pit — a fruit stone
  24. leaves — of a tree

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