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: can · deal · track · pitch · suit · spell · key · fork

  1. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  2. The players ran onto the football ________________.
  3. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  4. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  5. This piece is in a major ________________.
  6. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  7. How do you ________________ your surname?
  8. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  9. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  10. We usually eat with a knife, ________________ and spoon.
  11. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  12. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  13. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  14. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  15. Use a garden ________________ to turn the soil.
  16. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  17. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  18. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  19. The room was ________________ black, so I couldn't see a thing.
  20. When will it ________________ you to start?
  21. She's preparing to ________________ her idea to the investors.
  22. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  23. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  24. We came to a ________________ in the road and had no idea which direction to go.

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

Answer key

  1. can — to be able to
  2. pitch — a sports field
  3. deal — an agreement
  4. spell — a short time
  5. key — in music
  6. track — a path
  7. spell — letters
  8. key — for a lock
  9. suit — in cards
  10. fork — to eat with
  11. suit — clothes
  12. track — a song
  13. spell — magic
  14. can — a tin
  15. fork — a garden tool
  16. deal — to handle
  17. track — to keep track
  18. deal — a big deal
  19. pitch — completely
  20. suit — to fit
  21. pitch — a sales talk
  22. can — a tin
  23. key — the most important part
  24. fork — in a road

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