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: face · bass · can · saw · mouse · rest · deal · toast

  1. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  2. Our bedroom windows ________________ the sea.
  3. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  4. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  5. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  6. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  7. Sooner or later you'll have to ________________ the truth.
  8. She had a strange look on her ________________.
  9. He works in a ________________ mill.
  10. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  11. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  12. She's very handy with a ________________.
  13. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  14. I would like to have a ________________ here.
  15. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  16. The ________________ of the members were all out of tune.
  17. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  18. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  19. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  20. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  21. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  22. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  23. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  24. Because of the accident, he'll have a limp for the ________________ of his life.

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

Answer key

  1. bass — the instrument
  2. face — to point toward
  3. toast — the most admired
  4. toast — bread
  5. can — a tin
  6. deal — to handle
  7. face — to confront
  8. face — part of the head
  9. saw — the tool
  10. toast — a drink to someone
  11. can — a tin
  12. saw — the tool
  13. deal — a big deal
  14. rest — a break
  15. mouse — the animal
  16. rest — what's left
  17. saw — past of 'see'
  18. deal — an agreement
  19. mouse — for a computer
  20. mouse — the animal
  21. bass — the fish
  22. can — to be able to
  23. bass — low music
  24. rest — what's left

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