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: wake · craft · spell · can · key · mark · mate · board

  1. He spent years learning his ________________ as a carpenter.
  2. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  3. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  4. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  5. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  6. How do you ________________ your surname?
  7. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  8. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  9. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  10. The speedboat left a long ________________ behind it.
  11. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  12. This piece is in a major ________________.
  13. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  14. Friends gathered at the ________________ to remember him.
  15. Have you found your soul ________________?
  16. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  17. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  18. Small ________________ should stay in the harbor during the storm.
  19. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  20. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  21. I didn't ________________ up well this morning.
  22. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  23. Flower arranging is a traditional ________________ in Japan.
  24. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.

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

Answer key

  1. craft — a skill
  2. key — for a lock
  3. mate — to breed
  4. board — to get on
  5. board — a flat piece
  6. spell — letters
  7. mark — a grade
  8. spell — magic
  9. can — a tin
  10. wake — a trail
  11. can — a tin
  12. key — in music
  13. mark — to pay attention
  14. wake — before a funeral
  15. mate — a partner
  16. can — to be able to
  17. key — the most important part
  18. craft — boats
  19. mark — a trace
  20. mate — a friend
  21. wake — to stop sleeping
  22. board — a committee
  23. craft — a handicraft
  24. spell — a short time

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