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

  1. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  2. James Baker serves as an Honorary Co-________________ for the World Justice Project.
  3. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  4. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  5. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  6. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  7. Professor Sir Peter Hirsch formerly held the ________________.
  8. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  9. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  10. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  11. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  12. Where did you ________________ them?
  13. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  14. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  15. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  16. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  17. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  18. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  19. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  20. I put the bag on or beside the ________________.
  21. The King held a masked ________________.
  22. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  23. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  24. He keeps ________________ of his days.

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

Answer key

  1. safe — out of danger
  2. chair — a leader
  3. lash — to lash out
  4. track — a song
  5. lash — an eyelash
  6. perch — for a bird
  7. chair — a professorship
  8. mug — a cup
  9. lash — a whip stroke
  10. perch — for a bird
  11. safe — out of danger
  12. mug — to rob
  13. rock — music
  14. rock — to move gently
  15. track — a path
  16. mug — a face
  17. ball — a round shape
  18. rock — a stone
  19. safe — a strongbox
  20. chair — to sit on
  21. ball — a dance
  22. perch — the fish
  23. ball — a great time
  24. track — to keep track

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