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: pass · ball · can · bay · lash · club · cabinet · bass

  1. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  2. What do you think of the new ________________?
  3. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  4. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  5. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  6. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  7. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  8. My rich neighbors belong to a private golf ________________.
  9. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  10. My mare is ________________ in color.
  11. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  12. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  13. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  14. The King held a masked ________________.
  15. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  16. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  17. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  18. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  19. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  20. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  21. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  22. Later, his shop becomes a ________________ with young dancers.
  23. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  24. I belonged to the harmonica ________________ in my high school days.

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

Answer key

  1. lash — a whip stroke
  2. cabinet — ministers
  3. cabinet — ministers
  4. lash — an eyelash
  5. lash — to lash out
  6. cabinet — a cupboard
  7. pass — to spend time
  8. club — for golf
  9. ball — a great time
  10. bay — a horse colour
  11. pass — a permit
  12. ball — a round shape
  13. bay — a part of the sea
  14. ball — a dance
  15. bass — the instrument
  16. bass — the fish
  17. can — a tin
  18. can — to be able to
  19. pass — to succeed
  20. bay — to keep at bay
  21. bass — low music
  22. club — for dancing
  23. can — a tin
  24. club — a group

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