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: leaves · coach · hide · pass · mug · mate · bank · club

  1. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  2. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  3. My rich neighbors belong to a private golf ________________.
  4. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  5. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  6. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  7. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  8. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  9. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  10. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  11. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  12. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  13. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  14. I belonged to the harmonica ________________ in my high school days.
  15. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  16. Have you met the new head ________________?
  17. Have you found your soul ________________?
  18. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  19. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  20. Later, his shop becomes a ________________ with young dancers.
  21. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  22. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  23. Where did you ________________ them?
  24. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.

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

Answer key

  1. hide — animal skin
  2. mug — a cup
  3. club — for golf
  4. leaves — lets stay
  5. mug — a face
  6. coach — pulled by horses
  7. pass — a permit
  8. leaves — to go away
  9. hide — to keep secret
  10. coach — a trainer
  11. bank — of a river
  12. pass — to succeed
  13. mate — to breed
  14. club — a group
  15. bank — for money
  16. coach — a trainer
  17. mate — a partner
  18. leaves — of a tree
  19. hide — to keep secret
  20. club — for dancing
  21. mate — a friend
  22. bank — for money
  23. mug — to rob
  24. pass — to spend 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