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: pass · foot · suit · game · rush · cabinet · fan · lie

  1. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  2. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  3. Roulette is a ________________ of chance.
  4. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  5. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  6. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  7. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  8. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  9. What do you think of the new ________________?
  10. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  11. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  12. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  13. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  14. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  15. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  16. The pointer is employed to find upland ________________.
  17. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  18. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  19. When will it ________________ you to start?
  20. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  21. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  22. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  23. That must've been a ________________.
  24. That was a fun ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. foot — the bottom
  2. fan — a supporter
  3. game — a kind of play
  4. fan — to cool the air
  5. pass — a permit
  6. cabinet — a cupboard
  7. suit — clothes
  8. pass — to succeed
  9. cabinet — ministers
  10. rush — hurry
  11. fan — a supporter
  12. foot — a measure
  13. rush — to hurry
  14. suit — in cards
  15. lie — an untruth
  16. game — wild animals
  17. lie — an untruth
  18. foot — part of the body
  19. suit — to fit
  20. cabinet — ministers
  21. pass — to spend time
  22. lie — to recline
  23. rush — a thrill
  24. game — a match

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