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 in each sentence. Each word is used more than once, with a different meaning each time.

  1. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  2. When a clown is made king, the ________________ becomes a circus.
  3. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  4. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  5. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  6. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  7. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  8. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  9. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  10. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  11. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  12. The ball is in your ________________.
  13. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  14. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  15. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  16. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  17. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  18. The ________________ found him guilty of stealing money.

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

Answer key

  1. mark — to pay attention
  2. court — of a king
  3. hide — to keep secret
  4. mouse — for a computer
  5. mark — a grade
  6. mouse — the animal
  7. staff — a stick
  8. hide — to keep secret
  9. staff — employees
  10. hide — animal skin
  11. safe — out of danger
  12. court — for sport
  13. staff — employees
  14. safe — out of danger
  15. mark — a trace
  16. safe — a strongbox
  17. mouse — the animal
  18. court — of law

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