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 116 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 · file · rush · lie · can · cue · trunk · last

  1. He rubbed the rust off with a ________________.
  2. The elephant has a huge ________________.
  3. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  4. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  5. I've got the luggage in my ________________.
  6. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  7. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  8. Today is the ________________ day of the holidays. Back to school tomorrow!
  9. We walked down the narrow path in single ________________.
  10. The tree's ________________ was scarred by lightning strikes.
  11. That must've been a ________________.
  12. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  13. False peace will not ________________.
  14. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  15. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  16. At ________________, we arrived at the village.
  17. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  18. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  19. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  20. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  21. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  22. The information is stored in a ________________ on my computer.
  23. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  24. You shouldn't ________________ things.

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

Answer key

  1. file — a tool
  2. trunk — of an elephant
  3. can — to be able to
  4. pass — a permit
  5. trunk — of a car
  6. can — a tin
  7. can — a tin
  8. last — final
  9. file — a line of people
  10. trunk — of a tree
  11. rush — a thrill
  12. lie — an untruth
  13. last — to go on
  14. lie — to recline
  15. cue — a hint
  16. last — finally
  17. rush — hurry
  18. pass — to spend time
  19. pass — to succeed
  20. lie — an untruth
  21. cue — for pool
  22. file — a document
  23. cue — a signal
  24. rush — to hurry

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