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 120 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: key · pass · chip · cabinet · plane · leaves · land · cue

  1. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  2. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  3. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  4. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  5. The ________________ took off on time.
  6. This piece is in a major ________________.
  7. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  8. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  9. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  10. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  11. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  12. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  13. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  14. When are we going to ________________?
  15. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  16. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  17. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  18. I'm the one who owns all this ________________.
  19. What do you think of the new ________________?
  20. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  21. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  22. Algeria is a ________________ of gas and oil.
  23. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  24. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.

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

Answer key

  1. chip — to eat
  2. key — the most important part
  3. pass — to spend time
  4. plane — in geometry
  5. plane — an aircraft
  6. key — in music
  7. cue — a signal
  8. pass — a permit
  9. cabinet — a cupboard
  10. cue — a hint
  11. pass — to succeed
  12. cabinet — ministers
  13. key — for a lock
  14. land — to come down
  15. chip — in a computer
  16. leaves — lets stay
  17. chip — for betting
  18. land — ground
  19. cabinet — ministers
  20. leaves — of a tree
  21. cue — for pool
  22. land — a country
  23. leaves — to go away
  24. plane — a tool

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